A NEW METHOD 

WITH 

GEOGRAPHY 

BY 

I. H. DIEBEL, A. M. 



Copyright N" 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 




















I 

























A NEW METHOD 


WITH 

GEOGRAPHY 

illustrating the; use op the 

SKETCH-MAP, 

BY 

J. H. DIEBEL, A. M., PH. B., 

vi 

author of 

ARITHMETIC BY ANALYSIS, NEW METHOD WITH 
U. S. HISTORY, ETC. 

COLUMBUS, OHIO 


THIRTY-THIRD THOUSAND 


PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR 


L, 


Copyright 19-1 1, by J, H. Diebel. 









2 preface. 


PREFACE. 


T HERE has, in recent years, been much discussion on 
the subject of map-drawing, as an aid in the study of 
Geography; and, while many good teachers strongly 
advocate it, some equally good teachers as strongly oppose it. 
The opposition is founded mainly on the fact that it takes 
up too much valuable time. And, who will say that this 
objection is not well taken? Pupils have been encouraged 
to spend weeks in the mechanical construction of maps into 
whose real meaning and relative proportions they took but 
little trouble to inquire, but rather spent their time in trac¬ 
ing outlines and coloring surfaces according to some model 
(usually the map in the book) which lay before them. 
This mechanical accuracy of copying is, in itself, not a bad 
thing, but it does not develop the faculty of location nor 
teach the pupil anything about Geography. To draw maps 
according to some cartographic diagram, or design, is to de¬ 
feat the object intended to be gained, and hence, many of 
our best teachers have warred against map-drawing. 

The Sketching of maps from memory at once sets 
aside these objections and retains all that is favorable. This 
exercise when rightly conducted is a most valuable aid, and 
the following lessons have been arranged to assist teachers 
and pupils in its execution. The pupils should take their 
places at the black-board, and at the direction of the teacher 
draw the boundary lines—drawing the same lines at the 
same time. In this way the outline may be discussed and 
criticised at different points and its accuracy determined 
from their memory of positions and relative proportions. 
Mountains, rivers and lakes should then be sketched, and 
discussed as to their location, trend, and extent. The capi¬ 
tals and other important cities should then be located. 
After a time the pupils will be able to work more independ¬ 
ently. In the lessons that follow the sketches have been 
placed at the head mainly for comparison while the pupil 
studies his lesson from the outline that appears on the op- 

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1 









£%3>. A- 1 U 


PREPACK. 3 


posite page, but the drawing should not be made by the 
class until the lesson has been studied. Under each map a 
number of questions have been placed to furnish a drill in 
the construction of the sketch. Many others will suggest 
themselves. 

The Topical Outlines will be found useful to those 
who employ the topical method of recitations,—and we be¬ 
lieve there is no better method,—yet it needs to be supple¬ 
mented, for no “ method** can be really conclusive in itself. 
Details must be brought out by discussion, and items of 
special interest must be suggested by such questions as may 
be found in the supplements which follow these lessons. 

This little work is merely intended as an aid and guide 
in the study of Geography, and to furnish models for sys¬ 
tematic work in this interesting, though often badly taught, 
study. 

The model for Ohio with a few slight changes will 
answer for any state; that of New England for any physical 
division; that of the United States for any country; and 
so forth. The writer has much confidence in the practical 
utility of this method of teaching Geography, and hopes 
that his fellow teachers may find time to examine it, and 
that some, at least, may derive assistance and benefit there¬ 
from. J. H. D. 


BOOKS FOR TEACHERS. 


Arithmetic by Analysis. 

New Method With Geography. 

New Method With Physiology. 

New Method With English Grammar. 
New Method With U. S. History and Civics. 


Price, 45 Cents Each. 








4 A new method with geography. 


LESSON I. 


TOPICAL OUTLINE DEVELOPING DEFINITIONS 
AND CLASSIFICATIONS. 


I. Mathematical Geography, 
t. Form of the Earth. 

2. Size of the Earth. 

{ 1. Area; 2. Circumference; 

3. Diameter; 

1. Polar; 2. Equatorial. 

3. Position in the Solar System. 

{ 1. Distance from tlie Sun; 

2. Inclination of the Axis; 

3. Plane of the Ecliptic. 

4. Circles and Measurements. 

1. Great Circles; 

1. Equator; 2. Meridians. 

2. Small Circles; 

< 1. Parallels; 2. Tropics; 3. Polars. 

3. Zones; 

1. Torrid; 2. Temperate; 3. Frigid. 
,4. Latitude and Longitude. 

5. Motions of the Earth. 

1. Diurnal; 2. Annual; 

3. Parallelism of Axis; 

1 4. Points of the Orbit; 

1. Equinoxes; 2. Solstices; 

3. Perihelion; 4. Aphelion. 

,5. Change of Season. 

II. Physical Geography. 

1. Divisions of Land. 

1. Continent; 

2c Island; 

< 1. Continental; 2. Oceanic. 

3. Special Forms; 

, 1. Peninsula; 2, Isthmus; 3. Cape. 












A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. $ t 


2. Surface. 

1. Highlands; 

1. Mountain; 

1. System; 2. Range; 3. Peak. 

J 2. Volcano; 

1. Active; 2. Extinct. 

3. Plateau; 4. Desert; 5. Watershed. 

2. Lowlands; 

„ 1. Plain; 2. Basin; 3. Valley. 

3. Divisions of Water. 

"l. Oceans; 

1. Sea; 2. Gulf; 3. Bay; 

4. Channel; 5. Sound; 6. Strait. 

2. Inland Waters; 

< 1. River; 

1. System; 2. Estuary; 3. Delta. 

2. Lake; 

1. Fresh; 2. Salt. 

3. Marsh; 4. Tundra. 

4. Atmosphere. 

r l. Temperature; 2. Isothermal Lines; 

3. Wind; 

•< 1. Constant; 2. Periodic; 3. Storm. 

4. Climate; 

1. Continental; 2. Insular. 

III. Political Geography. 

1. Political Division. 

2. Government. 

3. Inhabitants. 

r l. Manner of Living; 

1. Civilized; 2. Barbarous. 

2. Occupations; 

1. Agriculture; 2. Mining; 

< 3. Manufacturing; 4. Commerce. 

3. Religions; 

1. Theism; 2. Paganism. 

4. Languages; 

1. Original; 2. Dialect. 













6 A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


SUPPLEMENTARY. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. How many planets are there in the solar system? 

2. How many moons accompany these planets? ‘ 

3. Are there any other bodies in the solar system? 

4. What are shooting stars? What are comets? 

5. Is there any danger of collision with a comet? 

6. Who first taught that the earth was in motion? 

7. What was the extent of the primeval ocean? 

8. What causes eclipses of the sun and moon? 

9. Will Polaris (pole-star) always be our north star? 

10. Which is the longer, summer or winter? 

11. Did water always exist on the surface of the earth? 

12. Was the water of the ocean always salty? 

13. What is the oldest land in the world? 

14. How were mountains and valleys formed? 

15. What is the fable of “Atlantis?” 

16. The earth is growing. Can you explain this? 

17. Does the burning of coal make the earth lighter? 

. 18. What idea did the ancients have regarding the 

§hape, situation and “foundation” of the earth? 

ANSWERS. 

1. There are eight planets in the solar system. They 
are placed at regular intervals from the sun, except that 
there is a gap between Mars and Jupiter where no planet 
is found, but instead a number of little planetoids. 

2. There are twenty-one, distributed as follows: 
Earth, one; Mars, two; Jupiter, five; Saturn, eight; 

Uranus, four; Neptune, one. 

3. The solar system contains myriads of other bodies 
all of which travel around the sun in paths of their own. 
Some are collected in “swarms” while others travel alone. 

4. When these little bodies come in collision with the 
earth they are ignited by friction while passing through the 
atmosphere and are called shooting stars. Comets are those 
celestial objects which appear in the sky accompanied by a 
train, or “tail.” Their composition is not well understood. 

5. There is not much danger of a collision; yet such 
a thing might happen. 

6. Pythagoras, a Grecian philosopher. 




A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 7 


7. No doubt at one time the ocean covered the entire 
earth. As the interior of the earth cooled it contracted, 
and the crust being too large , sank in some places and rose 
above the water in others, forming continents and islands. 

8. When the moon comes exactly between the earth and 
the sun, the sun is eclipsed. When the moon is on the op¬ 
posite side, it passes into the earth’s shadow and is eclipsed. 

9. It will not. The earth’s axis is constantly changing 
its direction—describing a circle in the heavens 47° in diam¬ 
eter. In 26000 years Polaris will again be our north star. 

10. In the northern hemisphere summer is several days 
longer than winter, since that part of the orbit over which 
the earth travels in summer is longer than the other; and 
also the earth moves slowest when farthest from the sun. 

11. When the earth was yet very hot the water was in 
the form of vapor, and floated in the atmosphere as im¬ 
mense clouds. Water becomes vapor at 212° Fahr. 

12. When water first fell upon the earth it was fresh. 
As it wore away the crust it dissolved the salt and held it 
in solution. Every stream carries salt to the ocean. 

13. It seems quite certain that the first land which 
rose out of the primeval ocean was that portion of Canada 
known as the Height of Land. 

14. The crust in adjusting itself to the contracted in¬ 
terior, as above mentioned, became wrinkled into ridges and 
valleys. In some places it broke and formed mountains. 

15. There is a very old tradition that there was at one 
time an island in the Atlantic ocean which at some remote 
time sank below its waters. Plato called it “Atlantis.” 

16. As the earth flies through space myriads of little 
lodies(aerolites, etc.,)are constantly falling upon its surface. 
About 100 tons of matter fall upon the earth every day. 

17. It does not. When a substance is burned the ashes 
which remain and the gas which escapes weigh exactly as 
much as the substance burned. 

18. The Greeks, at an early period, believed that the 
earth was a globe supported on the shoulders of the giant, 
Atlas. The Chinese thought that it was flat, and was held 
in place by immense pillars. The Hindoos believed that it 
was a hemisphere, and was supported by four elephants 
standing upon the back of a great tortoise. 





8 A new method with geography. 


LESSON II. 
OHIO. 



MAP-DRILL ON CONSTRUCTION. 

1. Where must a line be drawn which measures the greatest north-and- 
south distance in the state ? 2. How long is this line? (Measure with scale in 
map.) 3. Measure the greatest east-and-west distance. 4. Is this line of the 
same length as its parallel which passes through Sandusky ? Why ? 5. Where 
is the water-shed in this state? 6. If a straight line be drawn to indicate it. 
where would it intersect the western boundary? 7. Name the cities whose 
location is marked in the map. 8. How far is each of the three largest cities 
from the capital ? 


Notes. —1. These lessons are intended merely as models. The class should 
always begin with its native state, and sketch as many of the other states as 
the time allotted to the study of Geography may permit. 

2. The teacher and pupils are requested to read carefully the preface in order 
that the plan and intent of these lessons may be more fully understood. 



















A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


9 


TOPICAL, OUTLINE. 


1. Position. 

{ 5 : 

2. Area. 



Boundary; 

Latitude and Longitude. 


Absolute; (In square miles.) 

Relative. (Compared with other States.) 


3. Surface. 

1. Northern Plain; 

2. Central Table-land; u * 

< 3. Marsh Regions; 7 

4. Hills and Valleys; 

^5. Soil. 

4. Coast Lino. 

1. Extent; 2. Indentations; 3. Harbors. 

5. Rivers and Lakes. 

{ L Rivers flowing into the Ohio; 

2. Rivers flowing into Lake Erie; 

3. Lake Erie; 

4. Artificial Lakes. 10 

6. Climate. 

1. Temperature; 2. Moisture; 3. Winds. 

7. Productions. 

f1. Vegetables; 2. Minerals; 

1_3. Animals; 4. Manufactures. 

8. Occupations. 

f 1. Agriculture; 2. Mining; 

\3. Manufacturing; 4. Commerce. 

9. Important Cities. 

fl. Capital; 2. Metropolis; 

\3. Other cities. 

10. History. 

1. Settlement; 5 2. Admission. 

11. Natural Curios ities. 8 _ 

♦These figures refer to supplementary questions. 









10 


A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


SUPPLEMENTARY. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. What is the motto of Ohio? 

2. Who first visited this region? 

3. Name the cities that have been tne capital? 

4. What noted Indian tribes formerly lived here? 

5. Describe the first permanent settlement. 

6. When and where was the first railroad built? 

7. What part of the State was originally marshy? 

8. Name some natural curiosities found in the State? 

9. Where is the oil region? 

10. What artificial lakes are found in the State? 

11. What and where are the barrens? 

12. Name some of the original wild animals. 

13. When was Ohio admitted into the Union? 

14. Who was the first Governor? 

15. What and where is the National Road? 

16. What is the supposed origin of the “terraces"? 

ANSWERS. 

1. “imperium in Imperio," is the motto of Ohio, and 
means, an empire in an empire. 

2. It is thought LaSalle explored this region about 
the year 1680. He was probably the first white visitor. 

3. Chillicothe, Zanesville, Chillicothe and Columbus 
have been the capitals of the State in the order named. 

4. The Eries, along the shore of the lake; theHurons, 
in the northwestern part, and the Delawares, in the Mus¬ 
kingum valley. About the year 1650, the Eries were con¬ 
quered and expelled by the Iroquois. 

5. The first permanent settlement was made at the 
mouth of the Muskingum in 1788. It was called Marietta 
in honor of Marie Antoinette, queen of Louis XVI. 

6. The first railroad was built in 1835, along the Mad 
river, and was called the Mad River Road. 

7. There was a large marsh, called the Black Swamp, 
in the northwestern part, which included the larger part of 
Wood county. This is now in a high state of cultivation. 

8. The ancient mounds in the southern part, the pure , 
water fountains in the northwestern, and the mineral springs 










A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 11 


in Greene, Seneca, and Delaware counties, are the most 
noted of natural curiosities. 

9. Wood county and vicinity is one of the richest oil 
fields in the world. The wells are about 1,200 feet deep. 

10. In Mercer, Auglaize and Shelby counties, there is 
a number of large reservoirs, which are used as feeders of 
canals. St. Mary's, one of these, is the largest artificial 
lake in the world. 

11. In the central part of the State are large tracts of 
prairie. Those which are considerably elevated were form¬ 
erly thought to be unfit for cultivation and were called 
barrens. Some of these “barrens” have been found to be 
among the richest farming land in Ohio. 

12. The bear, deer, fox, wild cat, opossum, raccoon, 
rabbit, squirrel, mink and beaver. 

13. There has been much dispute as to whether it was 
admitted in 1802, or in 1803. In the year 1802, Congress 
approved the laws enacted by the governor and judges of 
the territory, and a convention which assembled at Chilli- 
cothe, framed a State constitution. But recent investiga¬ 
tions seemed to prove, beyond a doubt, that it was not con¬ 
sidered a state until February, 1803. 

14. Edward Tiffin was the first Governor of Ohio as a 
state; Arthur St. Clair was the first Governor of Ohio as a 
territory. Cincinnati was the territorial capital. 

15. The national road was built by the government 
as a stage-coach road. This turnpike began at Cumber¬ 
land, Md.; crossed the Ohio at Wheeling, and was intended 
to be run indefinitely westward as the country became set¬ 
tled. After passing the Ohio, it continues its westward 
course, and crosses the Indiana boundary near New Paris. 
It was well built; fine stone bridges span the streams; but, 
the introduction of the locomotive proved its ruin. 

16. In the northern half of the state there is a number 
of ridges (terraces) which run parallel to the lake shore. 
It is quite certain that the lake at one time extended to , 
these banks; and, as it receded, left these landmarks of its 
former self. It is probable that these shiftings of the lake’s 
shore were due to some changes in the geological formation, 
and were, therefore, quite sudden. 







“- 

12 A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


MAP=DRILL. 

1. Does the straight line which separates New Hampshire and Maine run 
exactly north and south? 2. How long is the Connecticut river? (Measure 
with scale.) 3. Eocate the capital, and largest cities in each State. 4. Meas- 
ure the distance from Boston to the other capitals. (Always make an estimate 
of the distance before taking a measurement. This affords an excellent train¬ 
ing to the eye, and wonderfully develops the faculty of location.) 5. Indicate 
the position of lines which measure the greatest north-and-south distances in 
the several states. 6. Measure, with the scale, the lengths of these lines. 7 . 
Find the greatest east-and-west distances. S. Name the rivers, lakes, and 
mountains indicated upon the map. 


LESSON III. 

NEW ENGLAND STATES. 











A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


13 


TOPICAL OUTLINE. 


{ 


1. Position. 

1. Boundaries; 

2. Latitude and Longitude. 

2. Area. 

1. Absolute; 

2. Relative size of States. 

3. Surface. 

1. Low-Land Plains; 

2. High-Land Plains; 

^ 3. Mountains; 

1. Ranges; 2. Peaks; 3. Valleys. 

4. Soil. 

4. Coast Line. 

1. Extent; 2. Indentations; 3. Harbors* 

4. Projections; 5. Islands. 

5. Rivers and Lakes. 

1. Rivers flowing into the Atlantic; 

2. Rivers flowing into Lake Champlain; 

3. Interior Lakes; 

4. Border Lakes. 

6. Climate. 

1. Temperature; 2. Moisture; 3. Winds. 

7. Productions. 

1. Vegetables; 2. Minerals. 

3. Animals; 4. Manufactures. 3,8, 

8. Occupations. 

1. Agriculture; 2. Manufacturing; 3,8, 

3. Mining; 4. Commerce. 

9. States. 

1. Positions; 2. Boundaries; 3. Resources. 

4. Important Cities. 

1. Capitals; 2. Other Cities. 

10. History. 

' 1. Settlements; 2. Indian Wars; 

3. Other Notable Events. 10 

11 . Natural Curiosities. 5,7 * 11, 


113 

{ 









I 14 A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


SUPPLEMENTARY. 

QUESTIONS 

1. Which state is called the‘ ‘Switzerland of America?’ * 

2. What and where is the Hoosac tunnel? 

3. For what are Waterbury and Birmingham noted? 

4. Why was Cape Cod so named? 

5. What natural curiosity near New Marlborough? 

6. What is the origin of the wocd Yankee? 

7. Describe Ice Hill. 

8. For what manufactures is Connecticut noted? 

9. What popular name is given to eacn state? 

10. Tell of the discoveries by the Northmen. 

11. What famous monument in Charlestown? 

12. What and where is Dighton Rock? 

13. What and where is Hell Gate? 

14. What and where are The Notch, Old Man of the 
Mountain, and The Flume? 

15. What is the legend concerning the islands south 
of Massachusetts? 

ANSWERS. 

1. New Hampshire is so called on account of its beau¬ 
tiful mountain scenery—resembling that of Switzerland. 

2. This is a railway tunnel which penetrates one of 
the Hoosac ranges in Northwestern Massachusetts. It is 
nearly five miles long, large enough for two railroad lines, 
and is the longest tunnel within the United States. 

3. Nearly all the pins used in the United States are 
made in these cities. 

4. It was so called on account of the immense shoals 
of cod fish found in this vicinity. 

5. Here is a large bowlder weighing about 40 tons, 
which is so nicely balanced upon a rock foundation that it 
may be moved with the hand. 

6. This word is an imitation of the way the New 
England Indians pronounced the word “English.” It is 
still used to designate the people of this region. 

7. Ice Hill is a deep and narrow gorge in which the 
ice remains the whole year. The scenery is extremely wild. 

8. Connecticut manufactures the greater portion of 









A NSW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 15 


the clocks and watches used in the United States, and fully 
one-half the hardware and rubber goods. 

9. Maine is called the Pine Tree State; New Hamp¬ 
shire, the Granite State, also name given above; Vermont, 
the Green Mountain State; Massachusetts, the Old Bay 
State; Connecticut, the Land of Steady Habits; and Rhode 
Island, Little Rhody. (For a complete list of the mottoes 
and popular names of all the United States, see the author’s 
“New Method with U. S. History.”) 

10. The New England coast is supposed to have been 
visited by sea men from Norway and Sweden, in 986. It is 
thought that one of these, Herjulfson, explored the coast, 
and another, Lief passed a winter upon the main land in 
the vicinity of Boston. Lief named the country Good 
Vineland. His description of the natives, whom he, in con¬ 
tempt, called “Skraelings,” tallies very closely with the 
characteristics of the Esquimos. This has brought on the 
query, “Did the Esquimos once inhabit New England?” 

11. The Bunker Hill monument, erected in commem¬ 
oration of the battle of that name. It is built of Granite, 
is 221 feet high, and stands on the spot where Warren fell. 

12. This celebrated rock is found on the Taunton river, 
at Berkeley. There is an inscription upon it which has 
caused much speculation among learned men. Some think 
that it was done by the Northmen, and tells of Karlsefne’s 
arrival; others, that it is of still greater antiquity. 

13. This is a whirlpool in the western end of Long 
Island Sound. Sometimes it is very violent. 

14. The Notch is a deep gorge, or pass, in one of the 
ranges of the White Mountains. The Saco passes through 
it. Old Man of the Mountain is a cliff 1,000 feet high, 
overlooking a deep gorge. A side view presents a gigantic 
outline of the human face. The Flume is a narrow open¬ 
ing in a rock, 100 feet deep and only a few feet wide. A 
tributary of the Pemigewasset flows through it, making a 
roaring sound. It is frequently called roaring cavern. 

15. The legend says that these islands were given to 
three sisters. Elizabeth took the group to which she gave 
her name; Martha called her island, Martha’s Vineyard;, 
then there was but one left and Nan took it (Nantucket). 





16 A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


LESSON IV. 


THE EASTERN STATES. 

New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New 
Jersey, Virginia, West Virginia. 


[Sketch and Topical Outline to be made by the pupil.] 

SUPPLEMENTARY. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. What and where is the Natural Bridge? 

2. What is known as Mason and Dixon’s Line? 

3. What lake in New York is tributary to the Gulf of 
Mexico? 

4. What river is called the “Rhine of America?” 

5. What and where is “The Triangle?” 

6. What are the Palisades? 

7. What is the origin of the word Niagara? 

8. Where is timber mined? What is its origin? 

9. What and where is Cleopatra’s Needle? 

10. Are the Niagara Falls in the same place that they 
were a century ago? 

11. What is the theory as to the origin of coal? 

12. What is the supposed origin of petroleum, and of 
natural gas? 

ANSWERS. 

1. The Natural Bridge is a natural arch of rock which 
spans Cedar creek in Virginia. It is 60 feet wide, and the 
chasm under it is 90 feet wide and 250 feet deep. 

2. This line was established by two eminent English 
surveyors whose names it bears, to settle the disputed 
boundary between Pennsylvania, and Virginia and Mary¬ 
land. This line afterward became famous as marking the 
boundary between slave and free labor. John Randolph 
first used the words in this connection. 

3. Lake Chautauqua, which is located near Lake Eric, 
discharges its waters into the Allegheny river. 







A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 17 


4. The Hudson river is so called, because its scenery 
resembles that of the Rhine. 

5. That part of Pennsylvania which borders on Take 
Erie is so called. Originally, the northern boundary ran 
straight west, and Pennsylvania did not touch the lake. 
This “triangle” was purchased by the state from the 
United States for $150,000. The state also paid the Iroquois 
$2,000 for their claims. Why did Pennsylvania purchase 
this tract? 

6. Along the western shore of the lower part of the 
Hudson river, is an almost perpendicular wall of rocks from 
200 to 300 feet high. This wall, which extends for about 
20 miles, gives to the river a grand and imposing scenery. 

7. The word is derived from the Indian 0-ni-au-g‘a-rah , 
which means the “Thunder of Water.” 

8. In New Jersey, there are a number of salt water 
marshes, in which large cedar trees are found imbedded in 
the mud, a few feet below the surface. These trees have 
been buried here for many centuries, and are in a good state 
of preservation. Some are over six feet in diameter. 

9. This obelisk was first erected in Heliopolis, in 
Egypt, about 3,000 years ago. In 1880, it was brought to 
New York and placed in Central Park. It is cut from one 
piece of granite, and is 70 feet high. 

10. The rocks over which the waters fall are constantly 
wearing away, at the rate of about a foot in a year. A cen¬ 
tury ago the falls were over 100 feet nearer Lake Ontario. 
Eventually, they will reach Lake Erie, and the bed of this 
lake will become dry land. 

11. During the carboniferous age, vegetation grew very 
rapidly—so rapidly that it accumulated, in half decayed 
form, to a great depth. In the catastrophies of nature 
(earthquakes, etc.), this thick layer of vegetable matter was 
buried under portions of the earth’s crust, and after the 
lapse of ages, became transformed into coal. 

12. Coal, petroleum and gas, are nearly the same in 
chemical composition. It is probable that petroleum, like 
coal, is of vegetable origin. Natural gas is formed in the 
same manner as petroleum, or directly from it. 





18 A new method with geography. 


LESSON V. 


THE SOUTHERN STATES 


North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Geor¬ 
gia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, 
Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas. 

I Sketch and Topical Outlinb to be made by the pupil.l 

SUPPLEMENTARY. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. What noted cave is found in Georgia? 

2. Can you locate and describe the Dismal Swamp? 

3. What and where are the great “Raccoon Banks?” 

4. What remarkable plant grows in the Carolinas? 

5. What is the largest state east of the Mississippi? 

6. What is the meaning of the word Oklahoma? 

7. Are there any Indians in Florida? 

8. How was the soil of Louisiana probably formed? 

9. From what point may seven states be seen? 

10. What famous springs are found in Arkansas? 

11. What is alabaster, and where is it found? 

12. Locate and describe the “Enchanted Mountains.'” 

answers. 

1. This cave, known as Nicojack cave, is in the north¬ 
western part of the state in an eminence of Raccoon moun¬ 
tain. A stream of cool water issues from it. The roof of 
the cave is a smooth limestone rock. Its end has never 
been reached. 

2. This swamp, which covers 150,000 acres, is located 
in the northeastern part of North Carolina, a portion ex- 













A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 19 


tending into Virginia. In some places the bushes and vines 
are so dense that a man cannot penetrate it. 

3. Along the shores of Georgia there are banks 
formed of oyster shells. The young oysters attach them¬ 
selves to the shells of the old ones, and as each dies, 
its shell is added to the bank, which finally becomes 
very large and at low tide is above the water. The rac¬ 
coons feed upon the young oysters, hence the name. 

4. Venus’ Fly-trap, a plant which possesses the won¬ 
derful power of moving its leaves. The leaves are in pairs, 
united by a kind of hinge. If an insect alights upon the 
inner surface, the leaves close up like a trap, capturing the 
victim. The leaves remain closed until the insect has 
been absorbed, when they open again. Does the plant eai 
the insect? 

5. Georgia. 

6. The word means Indian’s Band. 

7. On an island in the everglades of this state is a tribe 
of Indians, the survivors of the Seminoles. 

8. The mouth of the Mississippi was once much 
farther inland than it now is, and the soil was brought 
down by the river. It was formed like the present delta. 

9. From the top of Eookout mountain seven states 
may be seen. What are they? 

10. The hot springs are located in a mountain region 
in the western part of the state. The temperature of their 
waters ranges from 100° to 150° Fahr. Their healing prop¬ 
erties are marvelous. 

11. Alabaster is sulphate of lime. It looks like chalk. 
In the southwestern part of Arkansas there is a mountain of 
this material. 

12. The Enchanted mountains are spurs of the Cumber¬ 
land range in northeastern Tennessee. Human foot-prints 
are distinctly marked in the solid rock. The feet have six 
toes, and one of the tracks is sixteen inches long. There 
are also tracks of horses and other animals. In this vicinity 
is the Big Bone cave, in which are found the bones of the 
mastodon and other huge animals. 





20 A new method with geography. 


LESSON VI. 


THE MIDDLE STATES. 


Ohio, Indiana, Iddinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Wis¬ 
consin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Da¬ 
kota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri. 

[Sketch and Topical Outline to be made by the pupil.] 

SUPPLEMENTARY. 

questions. 

1. A part of Minnesota extends farther north than 
any other state. Where and why is this? 

2. What and where are the “Pictured Rocks?’* 

3. What was known as the “Western Reserve?” 

4. What are “sink holes,” and where are they found? 

5. What and where are the “Walled Lakes?” 

6. What peculiar rock formation is found in Minne¬ 
sota? 

7 . What natural curiosities are found in Indiana? 

8. What was the “Ohio and Michigan War?” 

9. What famous mines are found in Michigan? 

10. What is the straightest river in the United States? 

ANSWERS. 

1. After the Revolutionary war the western boundary 
was run due north from Lake Itasca to a point northwest 
of Lake of the Woods, then east, and south to Rainy river. 
The northern boundary of the western part of the United 
States was later fixed at 49° north latitude, leaving this 
offset. See map in any geography. 

2. Along the southeastern shore of Lake Superior is a 
line of precipices which has the appearance of a series of 
lofty battlements, and ruins in infinite variety. These 

pictured rocks’ ’ extend for a distance of twelve miles, and 
present every variety of color. 








A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 21 


3. When Connecticut ceded her western domains to 
the United States, she reserved a tract of 3,666,921 acres in 
northeastern Ohio. This became known as the Western 
Reserve . 

4. In several parts of Kentucky, there are depressions 
in the surface, shaped like an inverted cone; they are from 
100 to 200 feet in circumference, and fifty to seventy-five 
feet deep. One can hear the sound of running water be¬ 
neath them. How were they probably formed ? 

5. In Iowa and the Dakotas are a number of shallow 
lakes surrounded by walls of stones. Since the lakes freeze 
solid (to the bottom) it is thought that the expanding of • 
the ice while freezing gradually pushes the rocks to the 
shore. These lakes are among the most remarkable of 
natural curiosities. 

6. The famous pipe-stone quarry, located near the town 
of Pipestone. The rock when taken from the quarry is 
soft and plastic, so that it might be moulded into any shape. 
When exposed to the air it hardens rapidly. 

7. The Wyandotte cave, in which one chamber is 350 
feet long and 250 feet high—containing wonderful forma¬ 
tions of stalactites and stalagmites, and crystals of alabaster, 
is a wonderful freak of nature. Near Indianapolis is a sub¬ 
terranean lake of pure water, from which the city is sup¬ 
plied. 

8. When the northern boundary of Ohio was fixed by 
congress, it was defined to be a line running due east from 
the southern extremity of Lake Michigan. But it was after¬ 
ward found that Lake Michigan extended farther south than 
was supposed, and Michigan claimed a strip eight miles wide, 
including Toledo, as belonging to her. The matter occa¬ 
sioned mtfch local excitement. Congress decided in favor 
of Ohio, and ceded to Michigan the northern peninsula 
in lieu of the disputed territory. 

9. The copper mines along the shores of Lake Su¬ 
perior. These mines were worked by a prehistoric people 
who had stone implements. In many places the copper is 
found in almost a pure state. 

10. The Red river of the North is the straightest of the 
large rivers in the United States. 








22 


A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


LESSON VIL 


WESTERN STATES AND TERRITORIES. 


Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, 
California, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, New 


Mexico, Arizona, 


iS ketch and Topical Outline to be made by the pupil. 1 

suppeementary. 


questions, 


1. What and where is “Death Valley ?” 

2. Describe the “big trees” of California. 

3. What is the largest county in the United States ? 

4. Can you tell how Sal ton Lake was formed ? 

5. What and where is the Golden Gate ? 

6. Describe the Grand Carton of the Colorado. 

7. What remarkable lake is found in Oregon ? 

8. For what is Butte City noted ? 

9. What is the “Garden City of Utah?’ 

10. What body of water contains no fish ? 

11. Where is Iron county ? Why so named ? 

12. What ancient ruin is found in Arizona? 

13. How is much of the desert land of this region ren¬ 
dered productive ? 


ANSWERS, 


1. This is a volcanic region in southern California. It 
is forty miles long, and its bottom is 150 feet below the 
ocean level. The temperature rises to 135° Fahr. and from 
fissures in the rocks gases emanate, which, combined with 
the heat, are destructive to life. 

2. These gigantic hemlocks are the largest trees in 


the world. They are found 


Sierra Nevada in the vicinity 














A NSW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 23 


of these trees are 375 feet high and over thirty feet in 
diameter. 

3. Custar county in Montana. It is 150 miles long 
and 125 miles wide. It received its name from the fact 
that Custar and his men were massacred here. 

4. A few years ago, there existed in southern Cali¬ 
fornia, a depression which was 300 feet below the ocean 
level. During the wet season of a certain year, the Col¬ 
orado river in overflowing its banks sent a large stream of 
water into this depression, forming the lake. A branch of 
the river still flows into this lake 

5. The entrance to San Francisco bay, on each side of 
which are high precipices, is called the Golden Gate. 

6. The Colorado canon is located in western Arizona. 
The rocks rise perpendicularly from the water to the height 
of 7,000 feet at some places. The water seems to have 
worn this channel, 1,000 feet of which is through solid 
granite. 

7. In the southwestern part is a lake in the crater of 
a volcano. It is called Crater Take, and is the deepest lake 
in the United States. It is 7,000 feet above the ocean level. 

8. Butte City is said to be the largest mining town in 
the world. 

9. Prevo, on Take Utah, is so called. It is an oasis 
in a desert. 

10. There are no fish in Great Salt Take. 

11. Iron county is in Utah. There are a number of 
iron mountains in this county which are estimated to con¬ 
tain over 100,000,000 tons of iron ore. 

12. The ruin of Casa Grande, which means the “big 
house,” is situated a few miles south of the Gila river, in 
Arizona. This prehistoric ruin is 63 feet long and 45 feet 
wide, and the walls, still standing, are about 40 feet high. 

13. This is done by irrigating the land from the moun¬ 
tain rivers and lakes. There are three systems of irrigation: 
One is to flood the land ; another, to conduct the water in 
ditches and furrows; but the third and best method is to 
conduct the water by means of porous tiles laid under¬ 
ground through which the water is constantly running. 





24 A new method with geography. 


LESSON VIII, 


THE UNITED STATES. 



* 

MAP DRILL. 

1. How far is it from New York to San Francisco? 2. Where 
must a north-and-south line be drawn to divide the United States 
into two equal parts? 3. Where is the most northern point? (An¬ 
swer: In the region of the Lake of the Woods—here the boundary 
line passes north about 30 miles.) 4. Which extends farther south, 
Texas or Florida? 5. What two points are farthest distant from each 
other? 6. Draw two straight lines that indicate the great water¬ 
sheds in the United States. 
















A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


25 


TOPICAL OUTLINE. 


1. Position. - 

1. Boundaries; 

2. Latitude and Longitude. 

2. Area. 

1. Absolute; 

2. Relative. (Compared with other N. A. countries 

3. Surface. 

1. Atlantic Plains; 2. Mississippi Valley; 

3. Great Plains; 4. Rocky Mountain Plateau; 
5. Mountains; 

1. Systems; 2. Ranges; 

3. Valleys; 8 4. Peaks. 

4 . Coast Line. 

{ 1. Indentations; 

1. Bays; 2. Gulfs; 3. Sounds. 

2. Projections; 

1. Peninsulas; 2. Capes. 

5. Rivers and Lakes. 

1. River Systems; 

1. Atlantic; 2. Pacific; 

3. Gulf; 4. St. Lawrence. 

2. Great Lakes. 

6. Climate. 

1. Temperature; 2. Moisture; 3. Winds. 

7. Productions. 

1. Vegetables; 2. Minerals; 3. Manufactures. 

8. Occupations. 

1 Agriculture; 2. Mining; 

3. Manufacturing; 4. Commerce. 

9. Important Cities. 

1. Capitals; 2. Other Cities. 

10. Government. 

1. Form; 2. Departments; 3. Officers. 

11. Inhabitants. 

f 1. Character; 2. Races; 

L3. Prehistoric Inhabitants. 

12. History. 

{ 1. Discovery; 2. Settlements; 

3. Territorial Development. 

13. Natural Curiosities. 3 * 7,8, 


{ 






26 A. NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


SUPPLEMENTARY. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. What cities have been capitals of the United 
States? 

2. Describe the Yellowstone Park. 

3. What is the origin of the words *‘Uncle Sam?” 

4. What ruins are found in New Mexico? 

5. When and how was gold discovered in California? 

6. What and where was New Echota? 

7. What famous salt springs in New York? 

8. Describe Yosemite Valley. 

9. Compare the largest and smallest of the United 
States. 

10. Describe the St. Clair tunnel. 

11. With whom did the words United States of America 
originate? 

12. Can you explain this: “There is a time when the 
sun does not set in the United States?” 

13. What remarkable artesian well in South Dakota? 

14. Describe the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky. 

15. A man once crossed the United States in a canoe, 
which he carried from one water-way to another. He car¬ 
ried the canoe only 12 miles; can you trace the route? 

16. Why has Rhode Island two capitals? 

17. Why is the climate along the coast of Alaska so 
mild? 

18. What remarkable geological formation is found in 
northwestern New York? 

19. What strange lake is found in the western part of 
Virginia? 

20. What is remarkable about the timber which grows 
in Florida? 

21. Which mountains are the older, the Appalachian 
or the Rocky mountains? 

22. Why is the place where our capitol stands inter¬ 
esting in Indian tradition? 





A new method with geography. 27 


ANSWERS. 

1. New York was the first capital of our country; in 
1791, Philadelphia became the capital; and, in 1800, the 
seat of government was established at Washington. 

2. The Yellowstone Park, the ‘ ‘Wonderland’ ’ of Amer¬ 
ica, is situated in the northwestern part of Wyoming, in¬ 
cluding a small portion of Idaho and Montana. It is 65 
miles long and 55 miles wide, and is “walled in” by high 
mountain ranges. Here are a large number of geysers 
which throw jets of hot water to a height of 200 feet. The 
falls of the Gibbon river, Yellowstone lake, and the Grand 
Canon are other instances of nature’s marvels. It is, un¬ 
doubtedly, the most remarkable region in the world. 

3. In the war of 1812, Samuel Wilson, commonly 
called “Uncle Sam,” was the government’s beef and pork 
inspector. Elbert Anderson, a contractor, marked the bar¬ 
rels in his shipments with “E. A.” for his name, and 
“U. S.” for the United States. Wilson’s workmen being 
puzzled by these last letters inquired their meaning. Some 
one suggested that they stood for “Uncle Sam.” The jest 
seemed a good one, and the name passed into popular par¬ 
lance. 

4. In the southeastern part are the ruins of an ancient 
city whose history is shrouded in mystery. It is supposed 
by some to have been a Spanish settlement, but in 1685 it 
was already in ruins. 

5. Gold was discovered on the 19th of January, 1848, 
by James W. Marshall, on Captain John A. Sutter’s farm. 
This gold region of the Sacramento valley is the richest in 
the world. It is said that the discoverer of this immense 
wealth died in the poor-house. 

6. The Cherokee Indians had, with the aid of mission¬ 
aries, formed a republic of which New Echota was the capi¬ 
tal. They had adopted the customs of civilized people; 
had set up a printing press and issued a newspaper; the al¬ 
phabet which they used was invented by one of the natives . 

7. These springs are found in Syracuse and vicinity. 
The brine is pumped from the springs into large vats where 
it is evaporated by the sun, or into tanks, and evaporated by 





28 A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


artificial heat. The vats cover several hundred acres. A 
cubic foot of brine yields 14 pounds of salt. 

' 8. Yosemite Valley is a deep gorge in the Sierra Ne¬ 

vada, in the vicinity of the ‘ ‘big trees. ” It is about 10 miles 
long and one mile wide, A precipice called the ‘ bluff,” 
rises 3,089 feet perpendicularly above the valley; waterfalls 
leap over its sides at the height of 1,000 feet; and the bot¬ 
tom is covered with a forest of great oaks. It is the most 
wonderful valley in the world. 

9. It would require 220 states the size of Rhode Island 
to make one as large as Texas. 

10. This tunnel, which passes under the St. Clair river, 
is over five miles long, and connects Sarnia in Canada with 
Port Huron in the United States. It is in the form of a 
tube and is perfectly water tight. It is ventilated by air 
which is pumped into it, and heated by steam pipes. 

11. It is said that Thomas Paine, in a letter to a friend, 
used these words in referring to a proposed union of the 
States. 

12. The most eastern part of Maine is Eastport in 
longitude 66° 56'W.; and the most western of the Aleutian 
islands is in longitude 166° 10 / E. On the last days of June 
the sun rises in Eastport before it sets in the Aleutian 
Islands. During the rest of the year when the sun is far¬ 
ther south this does not occur. 

13. At Woonsocket there is a well which discharges 
250 barrels of water every minute. The well is over 700 
feet deep and has a pressure of 150 pounds to the square 
inch. It is the strongest well in the world. 

14. The Mammoth Cave is near the Green river in Ken¬ 
tucky. It is the largest cavern in the world. It is divided 
into many chambers, and contains many strange and gro¬ 
tesque forms. Haunted Chamber is a narrow passage two 
miles long. Streams, in which are found eyeless fish, and 
pits of unknown depth are found in many places. It has 
been explored for a distance of ten miles. 

15. Elbert Rappleye, on April 10, 1890, started from 
New York, passed through the Hudson river, Erie canal 
and Take Erie; then overland to Take Chautauqua; then 
through outlet of Take Chautauqua and Allegheny river, 




A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 29 


Ohio river, Mississippi river, Missouri river; then across a 
portage, and through Hell Gate river, Missoula river, Clark 
Fork, and Columbia river. 

16. Rhode Island was at one time divided into two 
* ‘plantations’ ’—Providence and Rhode Island. When they 
were united, each was reluctant to give up its capital. By 
a compromise it was agreed that both should be kept, and 
that the legislature should meet alternately at both places. 

17. The warm Japan current, which touches the shores 
of Alaska, tempers the climate so that in some places it is 
as warm as Tennessee. 

18. From the Niagara river to the Genesee river near 
Rochester there is a ridge, called the Alluvial Way, which is 
about 100 feet broad, and rises 30 feet above the surround¬ 
ing country. It is composed of an entirely different forma¬ 
tion. It was once, no doubt, much higher than now. 

19. When this part was first explored there was a 
marsh on the top of a mountain nearly 4,000 feet high. A 
small river near this marsh having ceased to flow, some 
years after the waters in the marsh began to rise until it 
submerged the tallest trees. The lake is now 500 feet deep. 

20. The heaviest wood in the world—black iron wood— 
grows in Florida only. It is 30 per cent, heavier than 
water. Nearly all the wood which grows here will sink in 
water, even when thoroughly dried. 

21. The Appalachian mountains must have been thrown 
up long ages before the Rockies. They were once very 
much higher, and more rugged, than they are now. Dur¬ 
ing the lapse of ages they have been worn down by the ele¬ 
ments until their outlines are comparatively smooth. 

22. Tong before the advent of the white man, the In¬ 
dian tribes assembled here to hold councils. This, then, 
may be considered to have been the capital of an ancient 
Indian empire. It is believed that Washington, to whom 
was given the honor of selecting a site for the new capital , 
was influenced by these Indian traditions in choosing this 
place. The Father of his Country was the friend of the Red 
Man, though he was often compelled to meet him in battle. 






30 A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


LESSON IX. 


NORTH AMERICA. 


MAP DRIPL. 

1. Which is the largest country of North America? 2. How far is Cape 
Sable from Cape Eisburne? 3. In what direction does the straight line boundary 
between Alaska and British America trend? Explain. 4. Would two persons 
starting at different points on the same parallel approach each other if they travel 
due north? 5. In what direction is Greenland from*the*north pole? 6. Does the 
sun ever shine perpendicularly upon any portion of the U. S. ? 7. Where would 
you locate the central point of North America. 8. What separates North and 
South America? 9. Trace a water route from St, Eouis to Chicago, on the sketch 
map, naming the different bodies of water traversed. 


















A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


31 


TOPICAL, OUTLINE. 


1. Position. - 

1. Boundaries; 

2. Latitude and Longitude. 

2. Area. 

1. Absolute; 

2. Relative. (Compared with otner Grand Divisions. ) 

3. Surface. 

"l. Cordilleras; 

1. Ranges; 2. Peaks; 10 3. Volcanoes. 

2. Appalachian Mountains; 

1. Ranges; 2. Peaks. 

_3. Plains 

4. Coast Line. 

1. Indentations; 

1. Bays; 2. Gulfs. 

2. Projections; 

1. Peninsulas; 5 2. Capes. 

5. Islands. 

1. West Indies; 2. Arctic Archipelago. 

6. Rivers and Lakes. 

T. River Systems; 

1. Atlantic; 2. Pacific; 3. Arctic. 

2. Great Lakes; 

3. Lakes of British America. 

7. Inhabitants. 

1. Native Races; 

1. Indians; 2. Esquimos. 7 

2. Foreign Races; 

1. Caucasians; 2. Ethiopians; 3. Mongolians. 

3. Languages; 4. Occupations. 

8. Political Divisions. 

T. Positions; 2. Governments; 3. Cities; 

4. Natural Resources; 

1. Vegetation; 2. Animals; 3 3. Minerals. 

9. Climate. 

1. Temperature; 2. Moisture. 

10. History. 

~1. Aboriginal Inhabitants. 

2. Prehistoric Inhabitants. 


11 ! 

{ 












32 A NEW method with geography. 


SUPPLEMENTARY. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. What is called the “Gibralter of America?’* 

2. What and where is the North Magnetic Pole? 

3. What is the supposed origin of the wild horses and 
cattle found on the western prairies? 

4. Why cannot a man sink in Great Salt Lake? 

5. What peninsula is sometimes an island? 

6. Why are the Staked Plains so called? 

7. What is the supposed origin of the Esquimos? 

8. What is peculiar of the lakes of Mexico? 

9. Can you give a proof that Iceland was once much 
warmer than it is now? 

10. What and where are the “Twin Peaks”? 

11. How many changes have been made in the spelling 
of the word “Bering”? 

12. What and where is the “Boiling Pot”? 

13. Who were the Montezumas? 

14. Describe the proposed Nicaragua canal. 

ANSWERS. 

1. Quebec is so called because of its strong fortress. 

2. The North Magnetic Pole, the place at which the 
magnetic needle becomes vertical, is near the western coast 
of Boothia peninsula. 

3. It is thought that these immense herds have de¬ 
scended from the domestic animals that escaped from the 
early Spanish settlers. 

4. About 20% of the water is salt in solution. This 
strong brine is much heavier than fresh water, and very 
easily floats the human body. 

5. At times when the tides rise highest in the Pacific 
ocean, the isthmus which connects Lower California to the 
main land becomes submerged, making the peninsula an 
island. 

j 6. In the early days the Santa Fe traders traveled over 

these plains, and as they were destitute of land marks, the 
travelers set stakes by which a definite route could be fol¬ 
lowed to the Gulf of Mexico, and other places. 




A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 33 


7. It is supposed that the ancestors of the Esquimos, 
were Mongolians who crossed Berkig strait at a very early 
date and settled on this continent. They resemble the 
Mongolians in many important particulars. 

8. The lakes of Mexico seem to be drying up. Take 
Tezcuco, formerly quite surrounded the city of Mexico, but 
at present the shore is several miles from the city. It has 
receded two miles within a hundred years. 

9. Fossils in the slate rocks indicate that this island 
once had a tropical climate. Forests were once abundant, 
but at present there is not a tree on the island. 

10. Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl are so called. On the 
top of the latter the rocks form the image of a woman. 
There is a superstition among the natives that this is the 
wife of Montezuma, the ruler of Mexico at the time of its 
conquest by the Spaniards. The name means, the white lady . 

11. It was formerly written, Bhering; then it was 
changed to Behring; and finally it is Bering. 

12. This name is applied to the falls a few miles below 
Quebec, where the water tumbles and pitches with such 
fury and in so many directions that it is difficult, in some 
places, to tell which way the stream flows. 

13. When the Spaniards explored Mexico, they found 
a great empire in the interior whose capital was Tenochtitlan 
(where the city of Mexico now stands), in the midst of a 
lake. This was the stronghold of the ancient Montezumas, 
an enlightened line of Indian rulers. The city contained a 
population of 300,000, and was connected with the land by 
a number of causeways.. Cortez conquered the city, and 
the brave Montezuma, who had treated him so generously 
at their first meeting, was slain. 

14. The Nicaragua canal is to pass through Lake 
Nicaragua in Central America. The whole distance is 169| 
miles, only 27 miles of which needs to be excavated; the 
rest is free navigation in San Juan river, Lake Nicaragua, 
and a few smaller lakes. The lake is 110 feet above sea 
level. The canal will have a number of locks by means of 
which the vessels will be raised and lowered and the current 
retarded. The canal would shorten the water distance from 
New York to San Francisco by 10,000 miles. 









34 


A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


LESSON X. 

NORTH AMERICAN ISLANDS. 
[Sketches to be made by the pupil.] 

TOPICAL OUTLINE. 


1. West Indies. 

1. Position; 

2. Area and Surface; 

< 3. Climate and Productions; 

4. Inhabitants; 

t 5. Divisions and Government; 


1. Greater Antilles; 

2. Bahamas; 

3. Lesser Antilles. 



4. Aleutian Islands. 

1. Positions; 2. Surface; 3. Volcanoes. 


SUPPLEMENTARY. 

QUESTIONS. 


1. What is the name of the island on which it is 
thought Columbus landed? 

2. Is the real form of the islands north of the Ameri¬ 
can continent known? 

3. When and by whom was Iceland discovered? 

4. When was Greenland discovered? 

5. What catastrophe fell upon the people of Greenland 
at the beginning of the fifteenth century? 

6. Have the Esquimos become civilized? 

7. Why is Iceland warmer than that part of Greenland 
which is in the same latitude? 

*See Iceland in Map of Europe. 







A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 35 


8. Where is Whale island? 

9. What is the most northern town in the world? 

10. For what is Pribilof island noted? 

ANSWERS. 

1. Watlings island, one of the Bahamas, is supposed 
to be the first land Columbus discovered in the western 
world. 

2. Many of the islands in the Arctic archipelago are 
covered with ice to an enormous depth. These ice fields 
frequently extend out into the ocean making it difficult to 
determine where the land surface ends. 

3. Iceland was discovered in the year 860, by a 
Norwegian pirate. A colony was founded here in 874, 
which soon became an independent republic, and even 
became the center of learning for a time when the conti¬ 
nent of Europe was still in barbarism. 

4. Greenland was discovered by a navigator from 
Iceland, about the year 981. It was from this place that 
the traditional voyages to Vinland or New England, were 
made. 

5. About two hundred towns and villages, along the 
southern coast of Greenland, mysteriously disappeared. 

When Captain Davis visited Greenland, in 1586, he 
found numerous ruins of buildings, but not a single white 
inhabitant. 

Absolutely nothing is known concerning the fate of 
this colony. 

6. The Esquimos have been visited by Moravian mis¬ 
sionaries who have converted them to the Christian faith, 
and introduced schools among them. 

7. The waters of the Gulf Stream pass near Iceland, 
and temper its climate to a considerable extent. 

8. Whale island, so called from the large number of 
whales frequenting its vicinity, is situated in Baffin’s bay. 

9. Upernavik, in Greenland. Some contend that 
Hammerfest is farthest north. There is but little difference 
in their latitude. 

10. This island, located west of the Alaskan peninsula, 
is the favorite haunt of the fur seal. 




36 


A. NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


LESSON XI. 



MAP DRIIX. 

What is the greatest length of South America? 2. What is the greatest 
width? 3. Where would you locate the center of this continent? 4. Compare 
the coast line of N. America with that of S. America. 5. Which has the better ' 
coast line? Why? 6. What is a bifurcation? 7. What famous one occurs in I 
the northern part? 8.- Trace a river-route from Trinidad on the Mamore to j 
Bolivar on the Orinoco, on the sketch map. 9. Trace a water-route from Val- ( 
paraiso to Asuncion. 10. Indicate two lines marking the water-sheds which. J 
trend east and west. 



















A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


37 


TOPICAL, OUTLINE. 


Position. 


1. Boundaries; 

2. Latitude and Longitude. 

2. Area. 

1. Absolute; 

2. Relative. 

3. Surface. 

1 . Andes Mountains; 

1. Ranges; 2. Peaks; 3. Volcanoes. 

2. Plateaus of Brazil and Guyana; 

3. Low Plains; 

1. Pampas; 2. Llanos; 3. Selvas. 

4. Coast Line. 

T. Indentations; 

1. Gulfs; 2. Bays; 3. Straits. 

2. Projections; 

1. Peninsulas; 2. Capes; 3. Isth. of Panama. 

5. Islands. 

1 . Galapagos; 2. Falkland; 

3. Terra del Fuego. 

6. Rivers and Lakes. 

1. River Systems; 

1 . Amazon; 1 2. La Plata; 3. Orinoco. 

2. Lake Titicaca. 

7. Inhabitants. 

1. Races; 

1. Native; 13 2. Foreign. 

2. Languages; 3. Occupations. 

8. Political Divisions. 

f 1. Positions; 2. Governments; 3. Cities; 

< 4. Natural Resources; 

1. Vegetation; 2. Animals; 3. Minerals. 

9. Climate. 

1. Temperature; 2. Moisture. 

10. History. 16 

1 . Early Settlements; 2. Spanish Conquests. 


15>I< 

{ 












38 A new method with geography. 


SUPPLEMENTARY. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. Why is the Amazon river so called? 

2. In what part of South America does it never rain? 

3. Describe the Natural Bridge ot Icononzo. 

4. What and where is “Pitch Lake?” 

5. What ancient ruins are found in Peru? 

6. Where is a barrel used as a post office? 

7. What is strange about the surface of Uruguay? 

8. What and where are the ‘ ‘air volcanoes?’ ’ 

9. Describe the people of Patagonia. 

10. What is the “light-house of the Maracaybo?’ 

11. Where is the highest railroad tunnel in the world? 

12. What and where is the ‘ ‘sea of grass?’ ’ 

13. Who, originally, inhabited South America? 

14. What is the most southern town in the world? 

15. For what is Juan Fernandez noted. 

16. Give a brief history of South America. 

ANSWERS. 

1. The tide rushes in at the mouth of the river with 
such sudden violence that the name Amassono, boat de¬ 
stroyer , was given to it by the natives. 

2. In the Desert of Atacama in Bolivia, it never rains. 

3. This is one of the most remarkable of curiosities. 
It is a stone arch 50 feet long and 40 feet wide, and stretches 
over a chasm 318 feet deep. 

4. This lake is on the island of Trinidad; it is over 1 - 2 - 
miles in circumference and of unknown depth. In the mid¬ 
dle the pitch boils, but at the shore it is cold and hard. 

5. There are two immense causeways, 1,500 miles in 
length, which extend from Quito to Cuzco. In many places 
they have been destroyed. 

6. In the straits of Magellan there is a huge rock 
which overhangs the water; to this a barrel is fastened by 
a heavy chain. Letters are left in this barrel by ships pass¬ 
ing through these waters, while others are taken out toward 
whose destination the ships may sail. Thus the passing 
and repassing ships take letters from this “post office” to 
all parts of the world. 




A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 39 


7. The surface is a great plain upon which not a stone 
of any ki?id is to be found. 

8. Near Carthagena on the northern coast is a number 
of small volcanoes, on the summits of which are craters 
filled with water. Bubbles of gas are constantly issuing 
from the openings, throwing water to a considerable height. 

9. The Patagonians are a giant-like race of Indians. 
The average height of the men is 6 \ feet, and the women 
are almost as large as the men. 

10. On the northeastern shore of the lake is a large de¬ 
posit of pitch, which gives out a phosphorescent light dur¬ 
ing the hot months. The light is a sort of evanescent 
gleaming, and is of value to navigators as a “lighthouse.’* 

11. This tunnel passes through a range of the Andes 
in Peru at an elevation of 3 miles. 

12. The Tlanos of the Orinoco have been so called. 
This region is a vast plain covered with a luxuriant growth 
of grass, furnishing feed for immense herds of cattle and 
horses, during the wet season. 

13. It was inhabited by tribes of Indians who resembled 
the Indians of North America, and were, no doubt, of the 
same race; but they were less warlike in character, which 
was probably owing to the milder climate. 

14. The most southern town in the world is Punta 
Arenas. 

15. The island of Juan Fernandez, west of Chili, is 
celebrated for having been the solitary residence of Alexan¬ 
der Selkirk, whose adventures furnished the ground-work 
for that great and popular novel, Robinson Crusoe. 

16. Columbus discovered the main land of America at 
the mouth of the Orinoco; and, it was this region of which 
Amerigo Vespucci wrote his description. The northwestern 
part of South America was inhabited by Indians who were 
considerably advanced in civilization, and whose wealth 
tempted the Spaniards. After many conflicts the infamous 
Pizarro conquered the Peruvian empire and established 
Spanish supremacy. A great man named Bolivar delivered 
the northwestern countries from Spanish dominion about 
the year 1810. Brazil, Uruguay, and Chili, have been mak¬ 
ing rapid progress in late years. 




40 


A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


LESSON XII. 


EUROPE. 



MAP DRILL. 


1. How do Iceland and Ireland compare in size? 2. What is the 
distance from Cape S. Vincent to the northeastern extremity of 
Russia? 3. Where must a line be drawn to measure the greatest 
north-and-south distance? 4. Which is the farthest north: Paris, 
France, or Montreal, Canada? 5. Which extends farthest south, 
England or Maine? 6. What is remarkable about the coast line of 
Europe? 7. Is this great irregularity to an advantage or disad¬ 
vantage? Why? 8. Is any part of Europe in the frigid zone? 
9. Trace a water-route from Vienna to London. 10. Trace a water-route 
from St. Petersburg to Rome. 11. Draw a line which shall mark 
the water-shed in Russia. 













A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


41 


TOPICAL OUTLINE. 

I. Position. - 

{ 1. Boundaries; 

2. Latitude and Longitude. 

2. Area. 

{ 1. Absolute; 

2. Relative. 

3. Surface. 

1. Eastern Plains. 

2. Scandinavian Plateau; 

3. Mountains; 

1. Systems; 2. Ranges; 

3. Peaks; 6 4. Glaciers. 

Coast Line. 

1. Indentations; 

1. Seas; 2. Gulfs; 3. Bays. 

2. Projections; 

1. Peninsulas; 2. Capes. 

3. Straits and Channels. 

5. Islands. 

{ 1. British Islands* 

2. Mediterranean; 

3. Zealand; 4. Nova Zembla. 

6. Rivers and Lakes. 

1. River Systems; 

1. Atlantic; 2. Mediterranean; 3. Arctic. 

2. Northern Lakes; 

.3. Alpine Lakes. 13 

7. Inhabitants. 

f 1. Races; 

-l 1. Aboriginal; 2. Modern. 

[ 2 . Languages; 3. Occupations; 4. Productions. 

8. Political Divisions. 

{ 1. Positions; 2. Governments; 3. Cities; 

4. Natural Resources; 

1. Vegetation; 2. Animals; 3. Minerals. 

9. Climate. 

1. Temperature; 24 2. Moisture. 

10. History. 80 












42 A NEW method with geography. 


SUPPLEMENTARY. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. Where is the “land of the midnight sun?” 

2. What is the most populous country in the world? 

3. What rapid mail transit between Paris and Berlin? 

4. How are the lowlands of Holland drained? 

5. What phenomenon is seen onKilhorn peak? 

6. Are there any reptiles in Ireland? 

7. What spectral delusion appears in the Hartz moun¬ 
tains? 

8. What were the ancient names of France, Spain, 
Switzerland, and Ireland? 

9. What and where are Fingall’s cave and Giant's 
causeway? 

10. What and where is the “light-house” of the Med¬ 
iterranean? 

11. What invention was made at Metz, in Germany? 

12. Describe the St. Gothard’s tunnel. 

13. What phenomenon appears in Lake Constance? 

14. What and where are the “eternal fires?” 

15. How is Amsterdam built? 

16. Relate some instances of the wealth and extrava¬ 
gance of the Czar of Russia? 

17. What great buildings are found in Rome? 

18. In what part of Europe is petroleum found? 

19. How is Venice built? 

20. What and where is Antonine’s Wall? 

21. What famous ruins are found near Naples? 

22. Describe the republic of San Marino. 

23. What are the “five great powers” of Europe? 

24. The latitudes of Chicago and Rome are the same; 
what causes the difference in climate? 

25. What is meant by the “ Marriage of the Adriaticf" 

26. What is the largest enclosed body of water? 

27. What and where is the Maelstrom? 

28. What and where is Maeshowe? 

29. Into what three classes are the people of Europe 
generally divided? 

30. Give a brief history of Europe. 







A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 43 


ANSWERS. 

1. The Scandinavian peninsula has been so called be¬ 
cause the sun does not set during a few days at midsummer. 
At that time the sun can be seen at midnight. 

2. Belgium is the most densely settled country in the 
world, containing over 125 inhabitants to the square mile. 

3. A pneumatic tube connects Paris and Berlin. It is 
used for postal purposes, and makes it possible for a letter 
mailed at Paris to be delivered in Berlin in 35 minutes. 

4. A large portion of Holland is from 10 to 15 feet be¬ 
low the sea level, and is drained by large wind-mill pumps. 
This land was once covered by the ocean. Immense dykes 
are built along the coast to keep out the water. 

5. In the northern part of Norway is a mountain, 
called Kilhorn peak, through which a large opening passes 
north-and-south. At midsummer the sun shines through 
this perforation from the south, at noon, and from the north 
at midnight. 

6. There are but very few reptiles in Ireland. It is 
believed by the people that they were destroyed and forever 
banished from the island by St. Patrick. The superstition 
that a snake cannot live on Irish soil is not true. 

7. One of the peaks has the form of a man; and, under 
certain circumstances, the gigantic image is reflected upon 
the clouds. It is called the “Specter of the Brocken. ’ * 

8. France was called Gaul; Spain, Hispania; Switzer¬ 
land, Helvetia; and Ireland, Hibernia. 

9. Fingall’s cave is on the island of Staffa. It is a 
basaltic cavern, 225 feet long, 165 feet high, and 66 feet wide 
at the entrance. Giant’s causeway, 600 feet long, is on the 
northwestern coast of Ireland. It is another group of 
basaltic columns, standing closely together. These columns 
are as regular as works of art, and have from three to seven 
faces. There is a tradition among the people that it was 
built by a race of giants. 

10. The volcano, Stromboli, which is 2,500 feet high, 
and whose constant fires light up a large portion of the 
Mediterranean sea, is so called. 

11. The art of printing was invented by John Gutten- 
berg at this little city. 





44 A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


12. This tunnel passes through the Alps mountains and 
is 10 miles long. It is the most remarkable tunnel in the 
world. 

13. Lake Constance lies in the Alps of Switzerland. 
Its waters are of a dark green hue, and subject to sudden 
risings from an unknown cause. In 1770, it rose 24 feet 
above its ordinary level in one hour. 

14. On the shore of the Caspian sea near Baker, in Rus¬ 
sia, gas is constantly escaping from crevices in the earth. 
This, having been set on fire, is continually burning. 

15. The greater portion of the city is built upon piles 
driven into the sands under the water; thus, the ocean rolls 
its waves under the city. 

16. It is said that a single carriage belonging to the 
Czar cost more than the White House at Washington ; that 
he keeps nearly 1,000 horses, which cost the government 
nearly $1,000,000 a year; and that the crown he wears is 
the costliest in the world. 

17. St. Peter’s church, 613 feet long, 286 feet wide, and 
435 feet high, is the largest and finest in the world. Its j 
building required 176 years, and cost $50,000,000. The i 
Vatican, in which the popes reside, adjoins St. Peter’s and 
contains 4,422 apartments. 

18. Petroleum is found in large quantities in the region 
of the Caspian sea. It is somewhat inferior in quality to 
that found in the United States. 

19. Venice is built on a group of small islands. It con¬ 
tains many magnificent buildings which seem to rise out 
of the water. The streets are water-ways, and boats take 
the place of vehicles. The land is nearly all covered with 
buildings. 

20. Antonine’s Wall is in Scotland, extending from the 
Forth to the Clyde, a distance of 27 miles. It was built by 
the Romans 'n 140 A. D. to keep back the native tribes. 

21. The Ruins of Herculaneum and Pompeii, two cities 
which were buried by an eruption of the volcano of Vesu¬ 
vius, 1,800 years ago. 

22. This is the smallest republic in the world. It was 
founded by a hermit who came to make his abode here 










A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


45 


some time during the fifth century. It has continued an 
independent republic to the present day. 

23. Great Britain, Germany .France, Russia and Austria. 

24. The Gulf Stream carries its warm waters to the 
western coast of Europe where they are gradually dispersed, 
and, as the winds from these warm waters are constantly pass¬ 
ing over the continent,they temper the climate of all Europe. 

25. Pope Alexander III, made a formal grant of the 
Adriatic to Venice, and the Doge, or Duke, chief ruler of 
Venice, was accustomed to go, annually, in a vessel, and 
throw a ring into the sea with great pomp and ceremony. 
This was called the marriage of the Adriatic. 

26. Caspian sea is the largest body of inland'water in 
the world. It is 740 miles long and 200 miles wide. 

27. The maelstrom is a great whirlpool off the coast of 
Norway, in the vicinity of the Eoffoden islands. It is 
caused by the meeting of two swift currents near one of the 
islands. At certain times it is so strong that it is dangerous 
to small vessels. 

28. Maeshowe is a large artificial mound on one of the 
Orkney islands. It has a large interior chamber of un¬ 
known antiquity, and the object for which this huge struc¬ 
ture was built in that unfrequented northern country is a 
matter of speculation. Some think it was used as a prison. 

29. The nobility , who are the ruling class; the gentry , 
who include the wealthy classes; and the peasantry , who 
comprise the laboring classes. 

30. A little over 2,000 years ago the only civilized por¬ 
tion of Europe was the empire of Rome. All the northern 
and western regions were inhabited by hordes of barbarians 
—races of wild people living in the woods. The people 
who lived in what is now France were conquered by Caesar, 
and Roman civilization was introduced. From thence it 
spread over Europe. But, from the year 500 to 1500 A. D., 
Europe passed through a gloomy period known as the “dark 
ages,” when nearly every vestige of learning disappeared. 
At the close of this period a revival occurred which seemed 
to stir the whole continent. Since that time she has made 
wonderful progress. Russia, the last to awaken, has made 

| an advancement scarcely paralleled in history. 










46 


A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


LESSON XIII. 


ASIA. 



MAP DRILL. 

1. How does the general outline of the map of Asia compare 
with that of Europe ? 2. Where must a line be drawn to measure the 
greatest distance in Asia? 3. How long is this line? 4. What can 
you say of the direction of this line when compared with a similar 
one in Europe? 5. How far is Singapore from Cape Chelyuskin? 
6. Where would you locate the center of Asia? 7. Draw a line which 
shall mark the water-shed. 8. Trace a water-route from Canton to 
Bushire, Persia. 9. Which extends farthest south, Kamchatka or 
Ireland? 10. Name the mountains marked in the sketch. 




















A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


47 


TOPICAL, OUTLINE. 


1. Position and Size. 

{ 1. Boundaries; 

2. Latitude and Longitude. 

3. Relative and Absolute Area. 

2. Surface. 

1. Mountain Systems; 

1. Himalaya; 2. Kuen Lun; 3. Altai; 

4. Thian Shan; 5. Hindoo Koosh. 

2. Plateaus; 

1. Thibet; 2. Iran; 3. Pamir. 

.3. Deserts; 4. Plains; 5. Tundras. 

3. Coast Line. 

T. Indentations. 

1. Seas; 2. Gulfs; 3. Bays. 

2. Projections. 

1. Peninsulas; 2. Capes. 

3. Straits. 

Islands. 

T. Malay Archipelago; 

2. Japan Islands; 3. Ceylon. 

5. Rivers and Lakes. 

{ 1. River Systems; 

1. Pacific; 2. Arctic; 3. Indian. 

2. Fresh-Water Lakes; 

3. Inland Seas. 

6. Inhabitants. 

{ 1. Races; 2. Languages; 3. Religions; 

4. Occupations and Productions; 

5. Nomadic Tribes. 

7. Political Divisions. 

{ 1. Positions; 2. Governments; 3. Cities; 

4. Natural Resources; 

1. Vegetation; 2. Animals; 3. Minerals. 

8. Climate. 

1. Temperature; 2. Moisture. 

9. History. 


{ 










48 


A NSW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


SUPPLEMENTARY. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. What is the oldest city in the world? 

2. Describe the Great Wall in China. 

3. Where is it thought the Garden of Eden was 
situated? 

4. What and where is the lamp rock? 

5. To what tortures are female children subjected in 
China, for fashion’s sake? 

6. What is said to be the coldest place in the world? 

7. Describe the ancient ‘ ‘hanging gardens’ ’ of Babylon. 

8. How do Chinamen salute each other? 

9. In what country is the king called Lord of the 
White Elephants? 

10. What large flower grows in Sumatra? 

11. Who was Confucius? 

12. How does the Chinese ruler show his homage to 
agriculture? 

13. What is the highest lake in the world? 

14. Why is the fabric, calico, so called? 

15. What is a typhoon? 

16. In T^hat countries are many customs and beliefs the , 

exact reverse of ours? j 

17. What is the highest inhabited spot in the world? \ 

18. What is the oldest existing dominion on the globe? 

19. What is the Sea of Isles. 

20. What country is called the Roof of the World? 

21. What is called the Cradle of Mankind? 

22. In the East Indies there is a tree which sometimes 
covers several acres. Can you describe it? 

23. What name is sometimes given to Europe and Asia? 

24. What country is known as the ‘ ‘Sun-rise kingdom?’ ’ 

25. What chain of mountains separates two races? 

26. What people are natives of both hemispheres? 

27. In what parts of the world are the pygmy races 
found ? 

28. What remarkable volcano is found in Japan ? 

29. Give a brief history of Asia. 









A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. * 


49 


ANSWERS. 

1. Damascus, situated northeast of Jerusalem. 

2. This wall, which extends from the Yellow sea to 
the region of Koko Nor, a distance of 1,250 miles, was 
built by the Chinese to keep back the Tartars. It was 
constructed 2,500 years ago, and employed several millions 
of men over five years 

3. There are many who believe that the Garden of Eden 
was situated between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates. This 
region, once remarkably fertile, is now a barren waste. 

4. This famous rock is found on the shore of Lake 
Rangkul, in Central Asia. A light shines from out a cavity 
in the rock at an altitude of 200 feet. The natives have a 
superstition that the light comes from an immense diamond 
set in the forehead of a demon who is guarding vast treas¬ 
ures in the cave. 

5. In China, a small foot is considered a mark of great 
beauty. A female child’s feet are compressed so that they 
cannot grow. The shoes worn by adult women are but 3 % 
inches long. They cannot walk without difficulty. 

6. Werkhojausk, in Siberia, is thought to be the cold¬ 
est place in the world. 

7. These were merely terraces formed on large mounds. 
They were planted with every variety of vegetation, and 
were erected by Nebuchadnezzer to flatter the fancy of his 
queen, who came from the mountainous country of Media. 
The “gardens” were mountains in miniature. 

8. In saluting, Chinamen shake their own hands in¬ 
stead of those of the persons greeted. They take off their 
shoes instead of their hats. 

9. In Siam the white elephant is an object of worship, 
and the king is frequently addressed by his title. 

10. The Rafflesia Arnoldi, which measures three feet 
across, and is the largest flower in the world. 

11. Confucius was the founder of the religion still 
practiced by the court in China. It is simply a system of 
worldly morality. He was also a great teacher and law 
giver. 









50 A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


12. On the first day of the year, the ruler accompanied 
by the princes and minister, goes to a place called the 
Sacred Field, and with his own hands plows a furrow. 

13. Lake Sirikol, the source of the Amoo river. 

14. Calico took its name from Calicut, on the south¬ 
western coast of India, where this fabric was first made. 

15. The typhoon is a whirlwind which has a tendency 
to lift objects from the ground, and sometimes hurls them 
to a great distance. The region of Canton is often deso¬ 
lated by these violent hurricanes. 

16. In China and Japan. In reading, they begin at the 
right of the page; the place of honor is the left hand; 
black is the color of gayety, and white the color of mourn¬ 
ing ; their religion teaches that the just will cease to exist 
after death, but the wicked will live forever. 

17. On an elevation in Thibet, 16,430 feet above the 
level of the sea, there is a convent inhabited by a number of 
monks. This is the highest inhabited place on the globe. 

18. China. 

19. The Aral sea, the second largest inland body of 
water in Asia. 

20. Thibet, which occupies the highest plateau in the 
world. It has a mean elevation of about fifteen thousand 
feet. It is also called the ‘ ‘Snowy Region of the North. ’ ’ 

21. This name has been applied to the plain watered 
by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. 

It seems quite certain that civilization, in its primitive 
form, made its appearance in this region of the globe. Yet 
\ we are not able to know what empires may have been in 
\ existence in prehistoric ages. 

22. The Banyan tree is a native of these islands. Its 
branches sends out shoots to the ground, which take root, 
and in turn become trunks which send out other branches. 
Thus the tree spreads over many acres. 

23. Eurasia, a combination of the words, Europe and 
Asia. 

24. Japan is so called, because it was the most eastern 
country known to the ancients. 

25. The Himalaya mountains separate the yellow peo¬ 
ple of the north from the white on the south. It is also 












A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 51 


peculiar that the vegetation on one side of this range differs 
very remarkably from that on the other side. 

26. The Ksquimos. They inhabited the northern re¬ 
gions of both Kurasia and America, when the latter was 
discovered by the people of Europe. 

27. One of the pygmy races originally inhabited the 
Philippine islands and is still found in the most rugged 
parts. The Malay race has conquered them and driven 
them from the fertile plains. 

The Bushmen of Africa and the Ainu, living on the 
islands north of Japan, may also be considered as belonging 
to the pygmy race. 

There is a tradition that there is a very diminutive 
people living in the mountains in the southern part of 
Central America. These reports seem so well authenti¬ 
cated that a number of scientists have begun a series of 
explorations to determine the real character of these 
people. 

28. The volcano Aso San, near Kumamoto, Japan, has 
the largest crater in the world. It is 10 miles in diameter 
and is inhabited by 25,000 people. The encircling wall is 
nearly 1,000 feet high. There is an inner crater, about 1 
mile in diameter, from which immense columns of steam 
gush forth. Earthquakes are of frequent occurrence. 

29. Asia is supposed to be the original home of the 
human race. The first civilized people probably lived in 
the valley of the Euphrates, and from thence have gradually 
spread over the world. In this valley, in the year 2221, B. 
C., the great empire of Assyria was founded ; in 536, B. C., 
Persia became the ruling power, and, 200 years later, Alex¬ 
ander conquered all the nations and made them subject to 
Macedon. About the year 600, A. D., the Saracens became 
masters of these regions, and 600 years later southern Asia 
was conquered by the Turks, who still hold dominion over 
it. China and the northern parts have changed but little 
for ages. There are traditions which indicate that China is 
a very ancient dominion, and that civilization first made its 
appearance here. Many modern inventions are claimed to 
have been known to them for ages before they were thought 
of by the white race. 






52 A new method with geography. 


LESSON XIV. 


AFRICA „ 


MAP DRILL. 

1. What grand division does Africa resemble in outline? 2. 
What is the greatest length of Africa? 3. What is the greatest 
width? 4. Where would you locate the center? 5. Which extends 
farther south, Africa or South America? 6. Name the mountains 
and rivers marked in the sketch. 7. What two points are farthest 
removed from each other? 8. Trace a water-route from Timbuctoo 
to Cairo. 9. Name and locate the capes and gulfs on the coast of 
Africa. 10. Name the mountains marked in the sketch. 11. Locate 
the equator and the tropics in the sketch. 









A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 53 


TOPICAL/ OUTLINE. 


1. Position and Size. 

{ 1. Boundaries; 

2. Latitude and Longitude; 

3. Area. 

2. Surface. 

f 1. Deserts; 

1. Sahara; 3,7 2. Kalahara; 3. Nubian. 
I 2. Mountains; 

| 1. Atlas; 2. Nieuweveld; 

3. Kong; 4. Mossamba. 

^3. Coast Plains. 12 
3. Coast Line. 

1 . Indentations; 

1. Seas; 2. Gulfs; 3. Bays. 

< 2. Projections; 

1. Capes; 2. Isthmus of Suez. 

3. Straits and Channels. 


4. Islands. 

f1. Madagascar; 2. Canaries; 
\3. Cape Verde Islands. 

5. Rivers and Lakes. 


{ 1. River Systems; 

1. Nile; 9 2. Congo; 3. Niger; 9 4. Zambezi. 

2. Lakes having Outlets; 

3. Lakes having no Outlets. 


6. Inhabitants. 


{ 1. Races; 

1. Native; 2 2. Foreign. 

2. Languages; 3. Religions; 4. Occupations; 
5. Nomadic Tribes. 

7. Political Divisions. 

f1. Positions; 2. Chief Cities; 

\ 3. Natural Resources. 

8. Climate. 

1. Temperature; 2. Moisture; 3. Winds. 

9. History. 







54 A. NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


SUPPLEMENTARY. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. What is said to be the hottest city in the world? 

2. From what portion of Africa were the slaves in the 
United States brought? 

3. What plan has been proposed for making the 
Sahara productive? 

4. When were the pyramids of Egypt built? 

5. What and where is Liberia? 

6. What famous stone was found in the Nile? 

7. What seems to prove that the Sahara was not al¬ 
ways a desert? 

8. Where is St. Helena, and for what is it noted? 

9. What rivers diminish as they approach the sea? 

10. What two men have explored the interior of Africa? 

11. How has much of the Sahara been made productive? 

12. What portion of Africa is over 500 feet below the 
sea level? 

13. What and where is the Gate of Tears? 

14. What was the Cape of Good Hope originally 
called? 

15. There is a river in Africa which flows from its 
‘ ‘mouth’ ’toward its‘ ‘source. ’ ’ Can you locate and describe it? 

16. What town in Africa was named after a president 
of the United States? 

17. What famous canal has no locks? 

18. In what direction does the water in the Strait of 
Gibraltar flow? 

19. Where do the dark “white people” live? 

20. What is remarkable about the coast line of Africa? 

21. What is remarkable about the rivers of Africa? 

22. The ruins of what city are found near Tunis? 

23. Can you describe the simoon of the desert? 

24. What lake in Africa is sometimes larger than Lake 
Superior? 

25. What remarkable geological formation exists in the 
Sahara? 

26. Where is Vocal Memnon,—the singing statutef 

27c Give a brief history of Africa. 




A NSW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 55 


ANSWERS. 

1. Mecca, in Arabia, is believed to be the hottest city 
in the world. A slanting rock surface near by reflects heat 
upon the city, adding considerable to the equatorial tem¬ 
perature. 

2. From the region of Fake Tchad. Millions of hu¬ 
man beings have been captured, or purchased, in this region 
and sent as slaves to all parts of the world. Even, at pres¬ 
ent, it is estimated that 10,000 persons are annually sent 
from the Soudan to the Mediterranean states. The Arabs 
mostly carry on this shameful traffic. 

3. The Sahara in the northern and western parts is, 
in many places, considerably below the level of the sea. It 
is thought that tunnels might be made into the ocean to 
flood these regions. These inland seas would increase the 
rainfall and make much of the desert productive. 

4. The Great Pyramid is believed to have been erected 
about 5,000 years ago. This structure is 480 feet high, 
covering thirteen acres of ground, and required the labor 
of 100,000 men for thirty years for its construction. 

5. In 1820, the American Colonization Society pur¬ 
chased lands in the western part of Guinea, and founded an 
independent republic as a refuge for slaves in the United 
States who had obtained their freedom. 

6. A stone found in the Rosetta, one of the mouths 
of the Nile, contains an inscription in three languages; the 
hieroglyphic, demotic, and Greek. With the latter lan¬ 
guage as a key the meaning of the hieroglyphic characters 
has been discovered, making it possible to read the history 
of the past ages as it is inscribed on the stones in the pyra¬ 
mids. This stone is in the British Museum. 

7. A large part of the Sahara is deeply furrowed by 
dry river beds. 

8. St. Helena, a rocky island in the Atlantic Ocean, 
was the prison of Napoleon after his defeat by Wellington. 

9. The Nile and the Niger. Much of the water is 
evaporated, and also, a large amount of it sinks into the 
sand. They have no tributaries along their lower courses. 

10. Eivingstone and Stanley. Prior to their explora- 
1 _-—- 





56 A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


tions, which were completed but a few years since, nothing 
was known about the interior of this “Dark Continent.” 

11. In the southern part of Algeria a large number of 
artesian wells have been dug. Vast orchards of fig trees 
are flourishing where all was barren a few years ago. 

12. Much of Abyssinia is over 500 feet below sea 
level. 

13. The Strait of Babel-Mandeb has been so called on 
account of its dangers to navigation. 

14. It was called the Cape of Storms, by Diaz, its dis¬ 
coverer, but the King of Portugal, being so greatly pleased 
that a passage to India was found, changed its name to that 
of Good Hope. 

15. This river extends from Lake Assal to the ocean 
near the Gulf of Aden. It flows from the ocean into the 
lake which is about seven hundred feet below sea level. 
The lake is drained by evaporation and is gradually being 
filled up with salt deposits. 

16. Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. 

17. The Suez canal has no locks. The country through 
which it flows is almost perfectly level. 

18. A strong current continually flows into the Med¬ 
iterranean. The few rivers which empty into this sea are 
not sufficient to supply the water evaporated. 

19. The Moors of Africa and the Hindoos of Asia, be¬ 
long to the white race, and in physical features resemble the 
people of Europe; but, having lived in equatorial climates 
for ages, their skin has become a deep brown. 

It may be remarked on this point that the lines of dis¬ 
tinction between the races are not clear, and it is very diffi¬ 
cult to determine to what races certain peoples belong. 

20. It has no deep indentations. 

21. All the great rivers of this continent are made un- 
navigable by falls or rapids, so that not a stream is open 
very far to large vessels. 

22. The ruins of the ancient city of Carthage, which 
was once the rival of Rome. It was the capital of the an¬ 
cient Phoenician republic. 




A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 57 


23. Simoon is the name given to severe windstorms 
which occur on the desert. Hot winds rise, unaccompa¬ 
nied by rain or clouds. The sky becomes darkened by 
great quantities of sand, which are heaped in immense 
drifts along the desert. 

24. Lake Tchad, in Africa. During the wet season it 
is larger than Lake Superior, while during the dry season 
it is only about one-fourth as large. 

25. In the desert of Sahara, where artesian well$ have 
been sunk, underground rivers have been discovered. These 
rivers seem to be of considerable size, and abound in crabs, 
mollusks, and fishes. It is believed that the channels of 
these rivers were once on the surface and that the shifting 
sands buried them, in some cases several hundred feet 
below the surface. Gradually the water has crept along 
under the sand and re-opened the channels. 

26. Vocal Memnon is a large monolith, nearly 50 feet 
high, standing on the banks of the Nile, near Thebes. 
Every morning at sunrise the statue gives forth musical 
sounds like those produced by harp strings. Scientists 
conjecture that this is caused by the unequal expansion, 
i. e., the part above ground expanding under the influence 
of the morning sun, while that part which is buried beneath 
the sands is not thus affected. 

27. The northeastern portion of Africa was, in the ear¬ 
lier ages, the seat of learning and civilization. But only a 
very small portion of this continent was known to the an¬ 
cients. The equatorial and southern regions were all un¬ 
known to them. After a time the great empire of Egypt 
crumbled into ruins, and another, on the northern coast, 
whose center was the great city of Carthage, sprang into 
existence. Carthage was finally conquered by Rome, and 
Africa ceased to be of interest to the world. In the seventh 
century the continent was again stirred by bands of war¬ 
riors fighting for the cause of a new religion, Mohammed¬ 
anism. At present the Turks and Moors rule the northern 
parts ; the wild negro dwells in the interior ; and colonists 
from England, France and Germany have settled in the 
southern regions. 





58 


A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


LESSON XV. 


AUSTRALIA. 



MAP DRILL. 

1. What is the distance from Cape Leuwin to Cape York? 
2. What are the greatest east-and-west, and north-and-south dis¬ 
tances on this continent? 3. In what direction would you look for 
the sun at noon in Australia? 4. How far is Borneo from Australia? 

5. Name the principal capes and bays on the coast of the continent. 

6. Which extends farthest south, Australia or Africa? 7. Name the 
mountains marked on the sketch. 8. Mark the location of the six 
largest cities. 9. What Grand Division does Australia most resemble 
in surface and climate ? 





















1 


A NEW method with geography. 59 


TOPICAL, OUTLINE. 


1. Position and Size. 


{ 1. Boundaries; 

2. Latitude and Longitude; 

3. Area. 


2. Surface. 


{ 1. Mountains; 

1. Coast Ranges; 2. Interior Ranges. 

2. Interior Plateau; 4 
3. Victoria Desert. 


3. Coast Line. 

{ 1. Indentations; 

1. Bays; 2. Gulfs. 

2. Projections; 

1. Capes; 2. Peninsulas. 

3. Straits; 4. Australian Bight. 

4. Islands. 

1. Tasmania; 2. New Zealand. 


5. Rivers and Lakes. 

{ 1. Rivers; 

1. Murray; 2. Darling. 
2. Lakes; 

1. Gairdner; 2. Eyre. 


6. Inhabitants. 


{ 1. Races; 

1. Native; 8,10 2. Foreign. 
2. Languages; 3. Occupations. 

7. Political Divisions. 

f 1. Positions; 2. Chief Cities; 

-< 3. Governments; 4. Resources; 
(5. Productions. 


8. Climate. 

1.Temperature; 2. Moisture. 

9. History. 13 

1. Discovery; 2. Settlement. 







60 A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


SUPPLEMENTARY. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. In what season of the year does Christmas come in 
Australia? 

2. Where is “Poison Valley?” 

3. Relate some peculiarities of plants and animals 
found in Australia. 

4. Where is the “Stony Desert?” 

5. When it is Monday on Mindanao, it i^ Tuesday on 
Borneo; can you explain the reason for this? 

6. What tree growing in Australia prevents malarial 
diseases? 

7. What island has 50 active volcanoes? 

8. How do the natives produce fire? 

9. Name two beautiful birds found here. 

10. How do the natives regard the white people? 

11. For what are the natives of the Sandwich Islands 
noted? 

12. What is a boomerang? 

13. Give a brief history of Australia. 

ANSWERS. 

1. In Australia Christmas comes in summer; for, be¬ 
ing in the southern hemisphere, its seasons are exactly the 
reverse of ours. 

2. This valley is found on the Island of Java. It is 
filled with a deadly carbonic acid gas, which is fatal to all 
animal life. It is strewn with the skeletons of human be¬ 
ings and animals that have entered it and inhaled its deadly 
vapors. The natives have many superstitions concerning 
it, and never venture near it. 

3. There are birds which have no feathers, and trees 
which have no leaves. An animal with the body of an ot¬ 
ter and the bill of a duck is another of nature’s freaks. 
Some trees shed their bark annually, instead of their leaves. 
There is a cherry which has the stone on the outside , and a 
bee that cannot sting. 

4. The interior of the continent is so called because a 
great portion is covered by pebbles and fragmentary rocks. 





A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 61 


5. The International Date Tine passes between these 
islands. In traveling around the world westward , a day 
would be lost to our reckoning, and going eastward a day 
would be gained; hence it has been agreed that the day 
shall be changed when crossing this line. If going west , 
Monday, for instance, shall be changed to Tuesday; and, 
if going east , Tuesday must be changed to Monday. 
Strange as it may seem, according to this a person might 
begin the writing of a letter on Tuesday and finish it on 
Monday of the same week. In that case the person must 
cross the Date Line going east. 

6. The eucalyptus tree absorbs malarial poisons, and 
has rendered some portions of the globe quite healthy which 
were once uninhabitable. It grows nearly as large as the 
‘ ‘ big trees ’ ’ of California. 

7. Sumatra. 

8. They rub two dry sticks together with such energy 
that they ignite. They have contrived a sort of machine 
for this purpose. 

9. The Lyre bird and bird of Paradise. These birds 
have a most beautiful plumage, but they do not sing. 

10. They hold the white people in great reverence, and 
believe that they are the reanimated spirits of their own 
kindred and ancestors. 

11. No savage race has ever so rapidly and willingly 
yielded to civilizing influences as they. 

12. The boomerang is a wooden instrument shaped 
like a sword and bent into an elliptical form. The natives 
handle it with great skill, throwing it into the air and 
causing it to strike the ground in such a manner as to re¬ 
bound to the thrower. 

13. Australia was discovered by the Dutch in 1605, and 
by them it was called New Holland. After a time it passed 
into the hands of the English, who changed its name to that 
it now bears, and made a settlement upon it in the year 
1788. At first it was used as a sort of a prison to which 
convicts were banished, as Russia banishes her prisoners to 
Siberia. But in 1851 gold was discovered, and people 
flocked thither from all parts of the world. At present it is 
making rapid progress, and will soon be an important factor 
in the commercial world. 






62 A new method with geography. 


LESSON XVI. 

ATLANTIC OCEAN, 


1. Name the currents indicated in the sketch. 2. Has the At¬ 
lantic a definite northern and southern limit? Ans. It has not; 
there is no definite limit to this or any other ocean. 3. Can you lo¬ 
cate the maelstrom? 4. Which extends furthest north, Africa or 
Mexico? 5. What is remarkable about the opposite coast lines of 
this ocean? Ans. If the eastern and western continents were to 
approach each other, the projections of one Avould neatly fit into the 
indentations of the other. 



MAP DRILL. 

















A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


63 


TOPICAL/ OUTLINE. 


1. Position. 


{ 1. Boundaries; 

2. Latitude and Longitude; 

3. Extreme Limits. 


2. Extent and Depth. 

f 1 . Area; 2. Length; 3. Width; 

4 4. Mean Depth; 5. Greatest Depth; 2 
I 6. Character of Bottom. 8,9 


3. Islands. 


{ 


1 . 


2 . 


Continental; 

1. On Western Coast; 

2. On Eastern Coast. 
Oceanic. 


4. Currents. 

f 1. South Atlantic; 2. Equatorial; 

\3. Gulf Stream. 10 

5. Tides. 

f 1. Spring Tides; 2. Neap Tides; 

^3. Cause of Tides; 4. Effects. 

6. Winds. 

1. Trade Winds; 2. Calms; 3. Storms. 6 

7. Sargasso Sea. 13 

1. Extent; 2. Vegetation. 


SUPPLEMENTARY. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. Why is the Atlantic ocean so called? 

2. Where is the deepest point in the Atlantic? 

3. What two points, on the opposite shores of the At¬ 
lantic, are nearest each other? 

4. From what is kelp made? 

5. For what is the Atlantic remarkable? 

6. To what length does sea weed often grow? 







64 A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


7. From what do the islanders in the Sargasso sea 
make a salad ? 

8. Can you describe the valleys in the Atlantic? 

9. What and where is the ‘ ‘ great bank ?’ * 

10. How wide and deep is the gulf stream ? 

11. If a well-closed bottle were dropped into the ocean 
on the western coast of Africa, on the equator, where would 
it probably land ? 

12. What remarkable fresh water springs are found off 
the coast of Florida ? 

13. What famous sea is found in the Atlantic ocean ? 

14. What phenomenon occurs in the Bay of Fundy ? 

15. What are the trade winds ? 

16. In what part of this ocean are sponges found ? 

ANSWERS. 

1. It was named from the beautiful island which tra¬ 
dition located in this ocean. Ancient historians called it 
“Atlantis.” 

2. The deepest part of the Atlantic is near the island 
of St. Thomas * here it is 27,365 feet deep. 

3. Cape St. Rogue and Cape Palmas. The distance 
between these points is twenty-five hundred miles. 

4. Kelp is made from a species of weed, which grows 
in the Sargasso sea, known as rock-weed. 

5. The Atlantic ocean is the stormiest body of water 
on the globe. The hurricanes which sweep over the re¬ 
gions of the West Indies are so terrific that whole islands 
are sometimes desolated. 

6. Some of the weeds in the Sargasso sea grow to the 
length of one thousand feet. 

7. From a species of sea-weed. 

8. The middle of the bottom of the Atlantic ocean is 
much elevated, and there is a fable that this portion was 
once above the surface. Between this plain and the conti¬ 
nents are two deep and winding valleys. 

9. This is a great sand bank southeast of Newfound¬ 
land. The water is from 100 to 500 feet deep. This is the 
greatest fishing region in the world, and cod fish, as well as 
seals, and even whales, are taken in great numbers. 








A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 65 


10. It is about thirty miles wide, and two thousand 
feet deep, and has a velocity of five miles per hour. It car¬ 
ries a thousand times as much water as the Mississippi. 

11. It would float in a westward direction toward the 
coast of South America; then north through the Caribbean 
sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and following a northeasterly di¬ 
rection would finally land upon the shores of Great Britain 
or Norway. 

12. A few miles from the eastern shore, and nearly op¬ 
posite Matansas, a large volume of fresh water boils to the 
surface. Fishermen and sailors come to this spring and dip 
up fresh water in the midst of the briny ocean. Springs of 
a similar character are found off the western coast. 

13. The Sargasso sea, or “sea of grass.” A counter 
current causes the Gulf stream to send off a branch which 
completely encircles this so called sea. Since the waters in 
this part of the ocean have no progressive motion, it has 
become thickly filled with sea-weed. It was into this weedy 
part of the ocean that Columbus sailed on his first voyage, 
and after many times changing his course, succeeded in get¬ 
ting through it. Examine the line marking Columbus’ 
first voyage, in any History. 

14. On account of the peculiar funnel-shaped form of 
this bay, the tide sometimes rises to the enormous height of 
seventy feet. The tidal wave as it passes up the bay, be¬ 
comes higher in proportion as it is shortened by the steep 
banks. 

15. The heat of the torrid zone causes the winds to 
blow toward the equator. In their passage from the north¬ 
ern and southern regions, the winds are constantly approach¬ 
ing those parts of the earth where the rotation is more 
rapid. This causes them to be retarded in a westerly direc¬ 
tion. Owing to their constancy they are called trade winds, 
—the word trade formerly meant trail. It was long thought 
that they received this name because of their commercial 
value, but this is now believed to be erroneous. 

16. Sponges are found in large quantities in the Atlan¬ 

tic off the coast of Florida. The sponge, though it grows 
like a plant, is really an animal. The sponge of commerce 
is the skeleton of the animal, which in life is filled with a 
jelly-like substance._ 







66 A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


LESSON XVII. 

THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 

[Sketch and Topical Outline to be made by the pupil.] 

SUPPLEMENTARY. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. Why is the Pacific ocean so called? 

2. How much of the earth’s surface does the Pacific 
cover? 

3. What movement of waters is peculiar to this ocean? 

4. What is called the great volcanic floor of the earth? 

5. What is called the Mediterranean of the Pacific? 

6. Why was the Pacific once called the South sea? 

7. What is meant by a “spit” in the ocean? 

8. Who first made known the existence of the Pacific? 

9. Into what three divisions is Oceanica divided? 

10. What two “seas” are found in the Pacific? 

11. What is peculiar about the trade winds of this 
ocean? 

12. What and where is the “ocean desert?” 

13. What windstorms are peculiar to the Chinese sea? 

14. What are monsoons? 

15. What remarkable island is found in latitude 27° 
S., and longitude 107° W.? 

ANSWERS. 

1. The early navigators applied the name pacific 
(peaceful) on account of the tranquillity of its waters. 
While this name may, with propriety, apply to the general 
character of its surface, yet its waters near the coast of Asia 
are often violently agitated by storms. 

2. It covers more than one-third of the earth’s sur¬ 
face. 

3. The Pacific, near the equator, has a perceptible 
current flowing from the east toward the west. This cur¬ 
rent is probably due to the influence of trade winds and the 
rotation of the earth. 






A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 67 


4. The Pacific ocean, on account of its volcanoes. 

5. This name is sometimes applied to Puget Sound. 

6. Because Balboa, its discoverer, saw it toward the 
south. 

7. An island which is covered by water when the tide 
rises is called a “spit.” 

8. Columbus was the first to make known to Euro¬ 
peans the existence of this ocean. He received accounts of 
it from the natives of America. 

9. Oceanica, which comprises nearly all the islands of 
the Pacific, is divided into three portions: Australasia, 
Malaysia, and Polynesia 

10. One lies about 15° from New Zealand in an easterly 
and southeasterly direction. The other about the same 
distance west of San Francisco. The latter is much the 
larger. 

11. The trade-winds, in the greater part of the Pacific, 
are neutralized by the monsoons and other periodical winds. 
The meeting of these counter currents occasions frequent 
hurricanes, which, however, are not so violent as those 
found in the Atlantic. 

12. That part of the ocean lying between Cape Horn 
and New Zealand is almost wholly destitute of any signs of 
life. Neither is there any sign of life in the air. This 
whole region seems so much like the barren tracts of land 
that the name “Desert” has been applied to it by mariners. 

13. The typhoon. 

14 The monsoon is a wind which for six months in 
the year—from April to October—blows from the south¬ 
west. and from the opposite direction during the remainder 
of the year. It is found in the tropical part of the Pacific, 
but more especially in the Indian ocean. 

15. Easter island, which rises 1,200 feet above the sea, 
and is of volcanic origin. On this island, multitudes of 
large stone statues, standing upon great platforms of gigan¬ 
tic masonry, are found. The present inhabitants have no 
tradition of the people who made these sculptures. Many 
scientists believe that a great continent, of which the Poly¬ 
nesian islands are the highest parts, once occupied this 
part of the ocean, and that these statues were made by its 
inhabitants. 





UE^SOIV XVIH. —MAP OF THE WORLD- (Mercator's Projection.) 


68 


A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY 




























A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 69 


TOPICAL OUTLINE. 


{ 


{ 


1. The Land. 

1. Area; 2. Origin; 29 

3. Distribution; 

1. Continents; 

2. Grand Divisions; 

3. Principal Islands. 

2. The Water. 

1. Area; 2. Origin; 3. Composition, 30 

4. Distribution; 

1. Oceans; 

1. Currents; 2. Sargosso Seas. 

2. Seas and Gulfs; 

3. Inland Waters; 

1. Rivers; 2. Lakes; 3. Seas, 

3. The Atmosphere. 

1. Extent; 31 2. Composition; 31 
3. Winds; 

1. Regular Currents; 

1. Trades; 2. Calms; 3. Monsoons 
2 Irregular Currents; 

1. Hurricanes; 2. Cyclones. 


{ 


4. Inhabitants. 

' 1. Races; 

2. Physical Characteristics; 

< 3. Number and Distribution; 

4. Manner of Living; 

^5. Languages and Religions. 

5. Animals. 

'1. Classes; 

1. Mammals; 2. Fishes, 3. Birds. 

< 2. Distribution and Uses; 

3. Domestic Animals; 

1. Origin; 2. Nativity; 14 3. Uses. 

6. Minerals. 

f 1 Classes* 

4 1. Metals; 2. Stones; 3. Coal; 4. Oil 

I 2. Distribution and Uses. 











70 A new method with geography. 

SUPPLEMENTARY. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. How many languages are spoken in the world? 

2. What are the death and birth rates of the world? 

3. How may the points of the compass be determined 
with a watch? 

4. What is the greatest distance the human voice has 
ever been heard? 

5. What is the largest city in the world where it is 
winter in July? 

6. What is the only walled city in America? 

7. What state has the arc of a circle for its northern 
boundary? 

8. Why are the Horse Latitudes so called? 

9. What was the Year of Confusion? 

10. What is the deepest river in the world? 

11. What is sometimes called the refrigerator of the 
United States? 

12. What and where is the water volcano? 

13. What river’s name is spelled with a single letter? 

14. Of what countries are the following birds natives: 
the turkey, the Guinea-fowl, and the peacock? 

15. What plant is a natural compass? 

16. What does the name Rio de la Plata mean? 

17. What is the highest peak in Europe? 

18 Of which hemisphere are the following animals 
natives: the horse, the dog, the camel, the sheep, the ox? 

19. How high is the tallest tree in the world? 

20. Why is Venezuela so called? 

21. What are the Seven Wonders of the World? 

22. What name has been devised to designate the exact 
form of the earth? 

23. What parts of the earth’s surface are undergoing a 
change of level? 

24. What has been called the Egypt of America? 

25. What is the rainiest town on the globe? 

26. Of what countries are the following plants natives: 
wheat, oats, rice, cotton, potato, cabbage, and corn? 

27. Of what countries are the following fruits natives: 
apple, peach, pear, cherry, orange, pineapple, plum and fig? 







A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 71 


28. Can you describe the earthquake which occurred in 
Canada in 1663 ? 

29. How was the soil, or land, on the earth formed? 

30. Of what is water composed ? 

31. What is the extent and composition of the atmos¬ 
phere ? 

32. Potatoes cannot be cooked on the top of the Alps 
in an open vessel. Why? 

ANSWERS. 

1. There is considerable difference of opinions as to 
the number of original languages, since some dialects are 
so peculiar to themselves, that it is difficult to determine 
whether they are not really original languages. The best 
authorities distinguish 80 languages and 4,000 dialects. 

2. It has been computed that the death rate is 67 per 
minute, and the birth rate 70 per minute. This seemingly 
small gain is sufficient to increase the world’s population at 
the rate of over 1,000,000 a year. 

3. Place the watch in such a position that the hour 
hand is directly toward the sun. South then lies midway 
between the hour it may happen to be and the numeral XII 
on the dial. 

4. The sentinels’ “All’s Well” has been heard from 
Old to New Gibraltar, a distance of twelve miles. In the 
Arctic regions, it is rep'orted, conversation has been carried 
on when the speakers were over a mile apart. 

5. Buenos Ayres. 

6. Quebec is the only city on this continent which is 
surrounded by a wall. 

7. The northern boundary of Delaware is the arc of 
a true circle. A portion of Pennsylvania extends south to 
the place where this line is tangent to the Maryland line. 

8. The Calms in the northern tropic are so-called, be¬ 
cause, formerly, sail vessels loaded with horses were often 
delayed here, and were obliged to throw overboard a part of 
their cargo to save the rest from starvation. 

9. In the year 1752, an error in the calendar amount¬ 
ing to 11 days was corrected. The year was also made to 
begin in January instead of March. This year was shorter 
than other years, and many persons, being unable to under¬ 
stand this, were much confused. 






72 A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


10. The Saguenay river, which is 3,000 feet deep at 
the mouth, is considered the deepest river in the world. 

11. Alaska was so stigmatized by those who opposed 
its purchase. 

12. In Guatemala, Central America. At times it sends 
forth from its northern side, torrents of cold water. 

13. The Y, an important stream which flows through 
Amsterdam. 

14. The turkey is a native of America; the Guinea- 
fowl, of Africa ; and the peacock, of India. 

15. The rosin-weed. Whenever it is found in unshaded 
ground, its leaves point North and South. It is found in 
the Western states. 

16. Rio de la Plata is Spanish for ‘‘ River of Silver.” 

17. Elbruz, in the Caucasus Mountains. 

18. The horse is a native of the eastern hemisphere; 
the dog, of both ; the camel, the sheep, and the ox, are 
natives of the eastern. Fossils found in the Yellowstone 
Park, indicate that a small species of the horse at one time 
lived upon the western continent. 

19. One of the “ Big Trees” in California is said, to be 
435 feet high. 

20. When Ojeda, a Spanish navigator, explored the 
coast of Take Maracaybo, he found the natives living in 
huts built on piles rising out of the water along the shore. 
Hence, he called the country Venezuela or Little Venice . 
(See Supplement of Europe, Question 20.) 

21. 1. Pyramids of Egypt. 2. Hanging Gardens of 
Babylon. 3. Temple of Diana at Ephesus. Statue of 
Jupiter at Olympia. Mausoleum of Artemesia. 6. Co¬ 
lossus of Rhodes. 7. Pharos of Alexander. 

22. Careful measurement has proved that the earth is 
not a perfect oblate spheroid. So the name “geoid” has 
been devised. This word means, simply, earth-form or 
earth-like , and is of no practical value. 

23. Many parts of the earth’s surface are slowly under¬ 
going a change of level. The southern coast of Florida is 
sinking; the eastern coast of Greenland is sinking; the 
northern part of the Scandinavian peninsula is rising ; and 
the bed of the Pacific ocean, near Australia, is sinking. 









A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 73 


24. Mexico is so-called on account of the numerous 
ancient temples. These were built by the Aztec Indians, 
and their ancestors, before this great people was conquered 
by Cortez. The pyramid of Cholula covers 40 acres. 
There are several others which cover 10 acres each. 

25. Sitka, in Alaska, is believed to have the greatest 
rainfall of any town in the world. 

26. Wheat is a native of southern Asia ; oats, of Cen¬ 
tral Asia; rice, of the East Indies; cotton, of America, 
Asia, and Africa; potatoes, of America; cabbage, of 
Europe; and corn (maize), of America. 

27. The apple is probably a native of Europe, but this 
is not well established ; the peach is a native of Persia ; the 
pear, of Europe and Asia; the cherry, of Europe; the 
orange, of eastern Asia; the pineapple, of tropical Amer¬ 
ica ; the plum, of Europe; and the fig, of Asia. 

28. This earthquake was so violent that it changed the 
face of the country. Mountains arose from level plains, 
while large lakes disappeared entirely. At Three Rivers a 
mountain was thrown into the St. Eawrence and the river 
took a new course. 

29. The crust which was formed on the earth, was, 
undoubtedly of solid rock. By the action of the water, the 
air, and other corroding agencies, much of this has been 
pulverized into what we call sand, or clay. Sand and clay 
when mixed with vegetable or animal matter, form soil. 

30. Water is composed of two gases, oxygen and hydro¬ 
gen, in the proportion of two parts of hydrogen to one of 
oxygen. They are in chemical union. 

31. A layer of air, variously estimated at from 50 to 
500 miles deep, surrounds the earth and presses down upon 
it with a force of 15 pounds to the square inch of surface at 
the level of the sea. It is composed of two gases, oxygen 
and nitrogen, in the proportion of four parts of nitrogen to 
one of oxygen. They are not in chemical union, but 
merely form a mixture. 

32. On the summit of the Alps (or any high mountain) 
the pressure of the air is considerably less than 15 pounds 
to the square inch, and this causes water to boil and evapo¬ 
rate before it reaches the temperature necessary to cook po¬ 
tatoes. In a closed vessel they may be successfully cooked. 
See Franklin’s experiment in any Natural Philosophy. | 










74 A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. What is the origin of the terms Latitude and Lon¬ 
gitude ? 

2. Why are the days longer than the nights ? 

3. If it were possible to see what was transpiring on 
the earth (1897) from the North Star, what would we behold? 

4. What river flowing into Hudson Bay empties a part 
of its waters at certain seasons of the year, into the Gulf 
of Mexico ? 

5. Could people on the moon converse with each 
other ? 

6. What is the largest empire in the world ? 

7. Is Denmark a peninsula ? 

8. In what direction is the entire Solar System mov¬ 
ing? 

9. What is meerschaum, and where is it found in the 
United States ? 

10. Does the axis of the earth point directly toward 
the North Star ? 

11. Why was Holland so called ? 

12. What remarkable buildings are found in Sardinia? 

13. How is it possible to foretell eclipses of the sun 
and moon ? 

14. In the Western part of North Carolina there is an 
independent republic. Can you describe it ? 

15. How is the northern boundary of the United States 
marked ? 

16. What is the largest inland city in the world ? 

17. What and where is the Rock of Refuge ? 

18. What sea’s name means “ middle of the earth ” ? 

19. What is the fleetest of all four-footed animals ? 

20. Why are the tropics and polar circles placed where 
they are ? 

21. What are the chief influences of climate on the 
human race ? 

22. Where are the gates of the Rocky Mountains ? 









A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 75 


23. What is a wady? 

24. Where does the most indestructible wood in the 
world grow ? 

25. Is the magnetic pole stationary ? 

26. For what is the month of February, 1886, memo¬ 
rable. 

27. What is the Nebular Hypothesis ? 

28. Whence is lead pencil wood obtained? 

29. Which of the North American rivers carries the 
largest volume of water to the sea ? 

30. What remarkable geological formation has been 
discovered in the state of Kansas ? 

31. What is disturbing the equilibrium of the earth? 

32. Why is the ecliptic so called ? 

33. How long would it take an express train at its 
highest speed to travel from the earth to the sun ? 

34. What and where is the thermal equator ? 

35. How fast is the earth travelling in her path around 
the sun ? 

36. What would a pound weigh if carried to the dif¬ 
ferent planets ? 

37. Does the Mississippi flow “ up hill ? ” 

38. Allowing 1 r /z acres of land for each inhabitant, how 
large a territory would be required for the whole population 
of the world ? 

39. Allowing four square feet for each person, how 
much land would be required for standing room for the 
world’s inhabitants? 

ANSWERS. 

1. The Ancients believed the earth to be an immense 
plain, longest from east to west, hence distances measured 
in that direction were called Longitude, which means 
length. Distances measured north and south, were called 
Latitude, which means width. 

This idea arose from the fact that the Ancients were 
only acquainted with that part of the world bordering on 
the Mediterranean, the greatest extent of which is east and 
west. 








76 A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


2. When a ray of light passes from a rarer to a denser 
medium, as from the ether into the air, or from the air into 
the water, it is refracted towards the perpendicular . The sun 
is never seen, in our latitude, where he really is, but always 
a little higher than his true position. This refraction is 
greatest when the sun is near the horizon. Owing to this 
phenomenon, we see the sun before it rises , and after it sets . 
The days are about eight minutes longer than the nights. 

3. It is estimated that it requires 49 years for light 
to travel from the earth to Polaris. Hence, if we could 
see the earth’s surface from that far off star, we would be¬ 
hold the close of the Mexican war in the United States ; the 
chartist troubles in England; the abdication of Eouis 
Philippe, and the agitation of entire Europe. 

4. The Red River of the North. The source of this 
river is on the divide between the river systems of the Gulf 
of Mexico and Hudson Bay. When the rainfall is heavy, 
the river flows in both directions. The southern stream 
reaches the Mississippi. 

5. They could not. There is no air upon the moon, 
and therefore no sound is possible. The firing of a cannon 
would produce absolutely no sound there. 

6. Great Britain is the largest empire in the world. 
It comprises more than one-sixth of the entire land surface 
of the globe. 

7. Denmark is now an island. A large ship canal has 
been cut through the neck of what was once a peninsula, 
thus severing Denmark from the mainland. 

8. The sun, with all the planets, is supposed to be 
moving toward the constellation Hercules, and around the 
Pleiades as a center. The direction of this motion is highly 
probable, since the stars in Hercules are receding from each 
other, occasioned by our nearer approach, while those in 
the opposite direction are approaching each other. But 
whether Pleiades is our center is rather a conjecture. 

9. Deposits of meerschaum are found in New Mexico 
on Sapello creek near the Alum deposits on the Gila river. 
The principal vein is eight inches in width. 

Meerschaum is used in the manufacture of pipes. 

10. It does not, but pierces the Celestial Sphere about 
a degree and a half from the North star on the side of 
the Great Dipper. _ 





A new method with geography. 77 


11. Holland is a corruption of the phrase, hollow land , 
applied to it because the greater part of its surface is below 
sea level. 

12. More than 3,000 prehistoric buildings have been 
found in Sardinia. They are built in groups in the fertile 
portions of the island. 

13. The moon changes her path around the earth, with 
reference to the sun, in such a manner as to come into the 
same relative position in about 18 years. This is called a lunar 
cycle. The eclipses in one cycle occur exactly in the same 
order as those of the preceding cycle. Hence, if a record be 
kept of eclipses for one cycle, it will serve for all future cycles. 

14. “in the western part of North Carolina is a perfectly 
organized republic independent of both state and national 
governments. It is known as the Qualla Reserve, and is 
the home of about 1,000 of the Cherokee Indians belonging 
to the eastern branch. The Reserve has an area of 50,000 
acres, or 82 square miles, of the richest valley land of the 
state, lying along the Ocona, Lufta, and Soco creeks. The 
President of the little republic is elected every four years. 
He receives a salary of $500 a year, but when at Washing¬ 
ton on business for the republic he gets $4 a day extra. He 
is called Chief, and none but a Cherokee of more than thirty- 
five years is eligible to the chieftainship. When he is ab¬ 
sent his duties are performed by an Assistant Chief, whose 
salary is $250 a year. The Chief has a cabinet of three sec¬ 
retaries, and the congress comprises two delegates from 
every 100 members of the tribe. All Cherokee males of six¬ 
teen and all white men who have Indian wives have the 
right to vote. The constitution provides for the main¬ 
tenance of a public school, in which both English and Cher¬ 
okee are taught. The inhabitants of the Reserve are in¬ 
telligent, fairly well educated, law-abiding,and industrious. ’ ’ 

15. The northern boundary, which was run on the 
49th parallel, extends from Take of the Woods to a point in 
the Gulf of Georgia. It is marked by mounds of earth, 
heaps of stones, wooden posts, and cast-iron pillars. The 
pillars are set one mile apart. 

16. Indianapolis. The river upon which it is situated is 
not navigable. 

17. In Hawaii there is a rock known by this name. Crim¬ 
inals who reach this rock are safe while they remain there. 






78 A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 


18. The word Mediterranean is an adjective formed 
from two Latin words meaning “ middle of the earth.” 

19. The Antelope. 

20. The earth’s axis is inclined 23^° to the plane of 
the ecliptic. At the summer solstice, the sun’s perpen¬ 
dicular rays would trace the northern tropic ; at the winter 
solstice, they would trace the southern tropic. Beyond 
these lines, the sun never comes in the zenith Again, at 
the winter solstice, the sun’s rays reach only to the Arctic 
circle, and the entire north pole regions are in darkness; 
at the summer solstice, the same thing occurs in the south 
polar regions. Hence, the polar circles are the limits of the 
sun’s extreme rays. 

21. Extremes of heat and cold produce languor. In 
accordance with this, we find the natives of the equatorial 
and of the far northern regions a sluggish people. 
The people of the temperate zone are much more active 
both mentally and physically. It is for this reason that 
civilization has made its greatest progress in temperate 
climates. 

22. Near Helena, Montana, the Rocky mountains are 
cut by deep passes, which have been styled the gates of the 
the Rocky mountains. 

23. A dry river bed is called a wady. Many of these 
are found in the desert of Sahara. 

24. The Jarrah wood of western Australia seems to 
defy all forms of decay, and is not attacked by insects. 
For this reason, it is much in demand for ship-building. 
Its supply, however, is not great. 

25. The magnetic pole, for a period of 11.11 years, 
moves toward the west; then during a like period it swings 
back to the east. This oscillation traces a path across the 
northern part of Hudson Bay. It is a singular fact that 
spots on the sun increase and decrease their number in the 
same length of time. Other meteorological phenomena are 
apparent. The dykes of Holland are damaged by the ocean 
billows at the recurrence of this same period. 

26. This month had no full moon. This is the first 
instance of the kind in the history of man. According to 
astronomical calculations it will not occur again for 2,500,- 
000 years. 







A NEW METHOD WITH GEOGRAPHY. 79 


27. It is a theory advanced by Uaplace, a French 
astronomer, that the material of which the solar system is 
composed, was scattered through space in a gaseous vapor 
called nebula. Granted that this matter began to accumu¬ 
late around a center, and that it acquired a rotary motion, 
it can be shown on strictly mechanical principles that a 
system resembling our own might be formed. 

28. All the wood (soft cedar) used in the manufacture 
of lead pencils comes from Florida. In a few years, the 
supply of this wood will have been so diminished that it 
will be difficult to meet the demand. 

29. It is estimated that the Yukon carries more water 
to the sea than any other river of North America. In the 
region drained by this river, it rains or snows almost con¬ 
tinually. During the summer season, nearly all the snow, 
which falls in the winter, melts; and this, together with the 
amount of rain which falls, produces a volume of water 
scarcely equaled by any other river in the world. 

30. A large part of Kansas seems to be over an under¬ 
ground sea, portions of which have been discovered in 
various parts of the state. A somewhat similar formation 
exists in the state of Kentucky where many bodies of 
water, and also running streams, have been found. 

31. Owing to the fact that in the southern hemisphere 
the winter is longer than the summer (see question 10, page 
6) an immense ice cap is forming in the Antarctic region 
which is causing the center of gravity of the earth to move 
farther south. Many thousand centuries ago an ice cap 
formed in the northern hemisphere to such an extent that 
it covered even the northern portions of the United States to 
a depth of several hundred feet. This is known in Geology 
as the glacial period, a discussion of which is intensely 
interesting. Tack of space forbids our entering upon it here. 

32. The moon in order to cause an eclipse, or be itself 
eclipsed, must come into this plane. Hence, the name 
ecliptic was applied to it. 

33. It would require about 200 years. 

34. The thermal equator is a line connecting points of 
highest temperatures. It runs mainly north of the mathe¬ 
matical equator, but is deflected north and south by currents 
of air and water. 




80 A. new method with geography. 


35. The earth in her orbit, speeds along- at the rate of 
18/4 miles per second. This rate is quite inconceivable 
when we find that it is about 60 times as fast as the speed 
of a rifle bullet. 

36. A mass weighing a pound on the surface of the 
earth, would weigh about 7/4 ounces on Mercury ; 14 ounces 
on Venus; 6 ounces on Mars; 2/4 pounds on Jupiter; 17 
ounces on Saturn ; 14 ounces on Uranus; and 13 ounces on 
Neptune. 

37. The earth’s equatorial diameter is 26 miles greater 
than the polar diameter. Since the Mississippi flows 
south, its mouth is computed to be about two miles 
farther from the earth’s center than the source; hence, | 
we may say that it flows ‘ 'up hill. ’ ’ According to the water- 
level or the plumb-line, it flows " dow?i hill," as both of 
these instruments are affected by the earth’s rotary motion. 

If the earth were to cease rotating the Mississippi’s water 
would flow toward its source, and the waters of the equato¬ 
rial regions would recede to the poles. 

38. If the whole population of the earth was placed in 
the United States there would be 1^ acres for each person. 

39. All the people in the world could stand on five and 
one-half townships, and each individual would have four 
square feet of standing room. 












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